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Jack Ergo
guest conductor

Jack Ergo
Associate Professor of Music
Music Department Coordinator
Graceland University

Jack Ergo serves as associate professor of music at Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa where he conducts the Graceland University Symphony as well as teaching Church Music, a Musics of the World class, Counterpoint, Instrumental Arranging, and Conducting.

Handel's MESSIAH is one of Mr. Ergo's 'signature' works to conduct. From 1981 through 2001 he led distinguished INDEPENDENCE MESSIAH CHOIR of Independence, Missouri, in their annual performances - often performing the entire work without cuts. This choir and their MESSIAH performances are now in their 90th year and since 1936 have been broadcast over national AM and later many FM radio stations. From 1991 through 2004 the performance was televised nationwide on the Public Broadcasting System and many local cable systems. Certainly a highlight was the Choir's presentation occurred in 2000 of New York City's first complete Handel's Messiah of the new millennium at Carnegie Hall to a sold out audience.

In 2011 Mr. Ergo is celebrating his 24th annual Kansas City Messiah sing-a-long at Grace & Holy Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Kansas City, Missouri; the performance is Saturday December 17th at 7 Pm. He considers it a great honor to conduct this afternoon's performance with the Des Moines Community Orchestra.

Jack Ergo has been surrounded by music his entire life. He began piano lessons at the age of four and by the age of nine was regularly performing piano recitals, playing for church services, and traveling to Michigan State University for piano study. At age 13 he performed Haydn's Concerto in D with the Saginaw, Michigan, Symphony. As a high school student in Saginaw, Jack participated in many musical ensembles as performer and conductor (many times with his parents who are symphony and chamber musicians), often conducting from the keyboard. He also served as choral and music director for his church.

After undergraduate study at Central Michigan University where Mr. Ergo performed many piano recitals, was assistant conductor of the Opera Workshop, and played viola in the University Symphony, he transferred to the Peabody Conservatory of Music at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and earned bachelors and masters degrees. He specialized in early keyboard music and 20th century music - seemingly opposite ends of the spectrum. He performed as harpsichord soloist with the Peabody Symphony in Elliott Carter's Double Concerto. He repeated this and other works on the Johns Hopkins Concert Series and at the American Music Festival sponsored by the State Department in Washington, D.C. He was also the accompanist for the Maryland Ballet and performed the Franck Symphonic Variations at their New York debut.

From 1981 to 2001, Mr. Ergo was the Music Director for the international headquarters of the Community of Christ Church located in Independence, Missouri. This was the home of INDEPENDENCE MESSIAH CHOIR and he has taken the CHOIR to Great Britain, Wales, Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic. Mr. Ergo is co-editor of two hymnals: Sing for Peace and Sing A New Song, the two hymnal supplements for the Community of Christ Church.

Additionally he produced and directed the recordings for Sing A New Song as well as recording a 5 CD set of the denomination's main hymnal, Hymns of the Saints.
"The indefatigable Jack Ergo" (Saints Herald Magazine - Australia) gives tremendous energy and passion to his artistic endeavors (..."he nurtures his groups with intense devotion." Independence Examiner).

Mr. Ergo has a long history of community orchestra and arts organization. From 1989-2000 he led the renowned KANSAS CITY CIVIC ORCHESTRA through a decade of diverse programming. The orchestra has been very active in Kansas City Metro Community events, from July 4th fireworks presentations to performing Mendelssohn's ELIJAH at Beth Shalom Synagogue sponsored by Harmony in a World of Difference.

From 1981-2001, Mr. Ergo served as the Music and Artistic Director of the INDEPENDENCE SYMPHONY, one of the mid-west's oldest community orchestras.
He is the founder of the EASTERN JACKSON COUNTY YOUTH ORCHESTRA, founder of the INDEPENDENCE POLICE CHORUS, co-founder and co-conductor of the HARMONY CHOIR OF KANSAS CITY, co-founder and conductor of the Independence MAYORS' CHRISTMAS CONCERT events.

Jack is also serving as Professor of Piano at Graceland and presents an annual spring piano recital. Graceland will host their new Keyboard Camp this August in the 12 million dollar renovated Shaw Center featuring their Steinway Piano and Casavant Pipe Organ Seminars.