BIOGRAPHY
Three decades of directing orchestras, choirs, operas, ballet, and musicals in the USA, England, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia have made Australian-born Dr. Kathleen McGuire one of the most versatile conductors of her generation. Specializing in working with large forces, she has a reputation for "charming" performers and audiences alike with her good humored manner at the podium.After almost twenty years abroad, in April, 2013 McGuire moved back to Melbourne, Australia, to assume prestigious posts:
- Director of Music, Queen's College - The University of Melbourne
- Vice Chair of Faculty, the School of Hard Knocks Institute
Until recently, McGuire currently led the music programs at three prominent San Francisco Bay Area organizations:
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF SAN MATEO
In September, 2011, she was appointed as Minister of Music and Arts at the Congregational Church of San Mateo, CA, directing the Chancel Choir and overseeing all arts components at the church.
COMMUNITY WOMEN'S ORCHESTRA
In 2005, McGuire began her tenure as principal conductor of the Oakland-based Community Women’s Orchestra. As well as leading the orchestra's regular concert series, she led the Orchestra at five performances at Davies Symphony Hall and its first out-of-state tour; she instigated the commissioning and premieres of works by established, historic, and emerging women composers; and spearheaded the Orchestra’s 25th anniversary celebrations in 2010.
SINGERS OF THE STREETAdditionally, McGuire founded and served as artistic director of Singers Of The Street (SOS) from its inception in September, 2010. SOS, a choir of people affected by homelessness, has performed for San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee and its debut music video was premiered at London's Royal Opera House as part of a Festival for the Olympic Games.
SAN FRANCISCO GAY MEN'S CHORUSFor more than a decade (2000-2010), McGuire served as artistic director and conductor of the 200-voice San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus (SFGMC). She brought new purpose to the Chorus in its efforts to reach out to and support communities; under her leadership, SFGMC raised close to $500,000 for Northern California charities. Her memorable performances, season after season, are preserved in more than a dozen award-winning CDs and DVDs.
McGuire has directed choruses and orchestras at many auspicious venues, including the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, and the Sydney Opera House. She has conducted and presented at international choral festivals in Montréal, Chicago, Miami, Auckland, Denver, Sydney, and Melbourne.
In addition to her work in San Francisco, McGuire conducted for twenty years in Colorado, the United Kingdom, and Australia. She completed studies in conducting, composition, and music education, and graduated with a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in conducting from the University of Colorado at Boulder (2000). Her renowned arrangements, orchestrations and compositions are widely performed, and she appears frequently at conferences and festivals as a guest conductor and presenter. In 2013 she was be a guest conductor in Australia at the Melbourne International Singers Festival, adjudicated choir divisions at the Melbourne Eisteddfod and Eisteddfod By The Bay, and is the Conductor-In-Residence at the Various Voices choral festival in Dublin, Ireland in 2014.
Her many accolades include San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom declaring April 22, 2010 as “Kathleen McGuire Day.” She received a 2010 Special Citation from The American Prize in Conducting for Excellence in Music Education, and she was a KQED 2010 Local Hero. On December 31, 2010, she was named the first-ever Conductor Laureate of the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus. In January 2012, ABC-TV presented her with a "Profile of Excellence" Award. In 2013 she was selected as semi-finalist for The American Prize in the Professional Choral Composition division. Her complete bio is found in Who’s Who In The World and other notable publications.
Her many accolades include San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom declaring April 22, 2010 as “Kathleen McGuire Day.” She received a 2010 Special Citation from The American Prize in Conducting for Excellence in Music Education, and she was a KQED 2010 Local Hero. On December 31, 2010, she was named the first-ever Conductor Laureate of the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus. In January 2012, ABC-TV presented her with a "Profile of Excellence" Award. In 2013 she was selected as semi-finalist for The American Prize in the Professional Choral Composition division. Her complete bio is found in Who’s Who In The World and other notable publications.
