Leo Nestor

Dr. Leo Nestor (B.A., Music-Composition, California State University, East Bay; M.M., D.M.A., Choral Music, University of Southern California), Justine Bayard Ward Professor of Music; Director, Institute of Sacred Music; Director of Choral Activities and member of the conducting faculty, co-operating member of the composition faculty, The Catholic University of America Benjamin T. Rome School of Music, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.

Leo Nestor's works are published principally by ECS Publishing, a division of the E. C. Schirmer Music Company, Boston; other works appear in the catalogues of Oxford University Press, MorningStar Music, Oregon Catholic Press and Selah Publishing House .

Dr. Nestor is founder, conductor, and artistic director of the American Repertory Singers, a professional vocal ensemble specializing in the performance and recording of contemporary literatures with eight recordings on Arsis Audio, most recently Come to Me: Love Songs by American Composers. He is among four founding members (1984) and currently serves as advisor (1996) to the Conference of Roman Catholic Cathedral Musicians. In 2001, Dr. Nestor was appointed musical advisor to the Secretariat for Liturgy of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Dr. Nestor has taught at Mt. St. Mary's College, Los Angeles; the University of Wisconsin, Madison; he maintains a continuing summer relationship as professor of conducting at St. John's University, Collegeville MN. He has served as artistic advisor, member of the international jury and Comitato d'Onore, conductor of the Coro Internazionale of L'Associazione Internazionale Amici della Musica Sacra in Rome from 1991-1998. Dr. Nestor was music director at Washington's Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception from January of 1984 through July of 2001.

Performances of Professor Nestor's works have been frequent throughout the United States as well as in London and Rome, including commissions for The Catholic University of America (In the Fullness of Time for chorus, soli and orchestra) and the papal visits to Los Angeles (People of God in the City of Our God) and St. Louis (Magnificat). Among recent premières and recordings: Kennedy Center-commission for The Washington Chorus, Variations on "Of the Father's Love Begotten" for divisi chorus, large brass ensemble, percussion and organ ; American Songs and Ballads for chorus, violin, violoncello and guitar for the Capitol Hill Chorale; Four Part Songs from the Highlands for divisi chorus and flute for the composer’s alma mater, California State University, East Bay; An American Triptych for divisi chorus and organ for National City Christian Church; Psalmody for the Great Vigil of Easter for solo voices and string orchestra at St. Peter's Church on Capitol Hill; in July 2006, Four Anthems on Gregorian Themes received its première performance at the Chicago AGO National Convention. Abide in Me (2007) for the installation of Bishop John Charles Wester, Salt Lake City; Strengthen for Service (2007) for the installation of Rev. William Byrne, St. Peter’s Church on Capitol Hill, the composer’s parish. Rise Heart Thy Lord Is Risen (2007) for University Christian Church, Fort Worth. Rhapsody, Narrative and Prayer (2007) for the one-hundred-fiftieth anniversary of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Montclair, New Jersey. In prospect, I Sing of a Maiden (2007) for The Catholic University of America Christmas concert.

Residing on Capitol Hill since his arrival in Washington, Dr. Nestor maintains an active life as teacher, conductor, composer.

American Repertory Singers

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