Fr. Burch, after consultation with the wardens and vestry, hired a music director to develop and conduct a children’s choir at St. Mark’s. We’re pleased to introduce Mr. Daniel Koplitz, the choirmaster for The Choristers at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.
Daniel Koplitz, baritone, is a soloist, ensemble singer, and conductor based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In the spring of 2018, Daniel graduated at the top of his class from the Peck School of the Arts at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a degree in vocal performance. During his studies, he had emphases in linguistics, choral conducting, and music history, but he has also furthered his education outside of academia by attending various summer programs such as the Madison Early Music Festival (2016-2018), Boston Early Music Academy (2017-2018), and the Amherst Early Music Festival (2018). In addition, he has begun training under the Estill Voice Model, a research-based approach to vocal pedagogy. Some of Daniel’s past ensemble experience includes participation in the UWM Concert Chorale, the Wisconsin Collegiate Honors Choir, and Vox Antiqua, while some of his past solo engagements include Autumn in Purcell’s The Fairy Queen, the tenor soloist in Vivaldi’s Magnificat, and Aesculapius Carboy in Sullivan’s The Zoo.
Currently, Daniel is employed by All Saints’ Cathedral as a choral scholar, a post he has held since 2014. Here, he has been immersed in Anglican liturgical practice, and it was in this position where his love for early sacred music was fostered. Subsequently, in January of 2017, he founded the vocal early music ensemble APERI ANIMAM, of which he is the artistic director. Since their conception, the ensemble has been increasingly sought out for historical performance in the Greater Milwaukee area and has collaborated with Early Music Now, Milwaukee Opera Theatre, the Milwaukee Art Museum, and Plymouth Chorale, while also appearing at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Fringe Festival.
Daniel has a deep love for choral music education and is thrilled to be building the children’s choir program at St. Mark’s. His musical experience with young singers extends from teaching private voice and piano lessons at the Academy of Performing Arts in Franklin to rehearsing high school-aged students at UWM’s Vocal Arts Festival. At St. Mark’s, Daniel will be implementing the Royal School of Church Music’s comprehensive choral training VOICE for LIFE and intends on nurturing and growing the choir to be one of the finest in the city.
If you have any questions regarding the program or know of any children who may be interested, contact Daniel at daniel@stmarksmilwaukee.org or 715-432-3256.
Daniel is already busy selecting music, purchasing supplies, and connecting with families who may be interested in participating. The Choristers rehearsals will begin in September.
“The Choristers program will both support our beautiful liturgy, and be a place for any child, member or not, to receive a first-rate music education,” said Father Burch about our new children’s choir. “The Choristers is another way that we focus on and support our youth.” This position and program were made possible in large part by a generous gift from the Lacy family.
Join us in welcoming Daniel to our parish.
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