mainbar
attributesphotos
Home
Art Sjogren's Biography
Video, Audio, and Scores
Latest News
International Tours
Repertoire
Important Links
Art's Schedule

contact
Professional Biography
 

Art Sjogren

Arthur Sjögren is an internationally acclaimed conductor and teacher with a broad knowledge of choral repertory, vocal technique and education administration.  He has extensive experience in music instruction, guest conducting, lecturing and has a broad knowledge of international choral literature. His professional life is divided into three main areas of interest: teaching and touring with performing students, conducting nationally and internationally, and holding positions of both conductor artistic director of the Pro Arte Singers, a professional choir he founded in 1975.

For over thirty five years the Pro Arte singers has been the only professional choir in Connecticut's Fairfield County (serving nearby Westchester NY County as well), performing over 200 concerts in an grandly eclectic repertoire.  Consistently reviewed as being “of major quality” and “an inspiring musical experience” with “a distinctive style.” 

Charis Chamber Voices
In June, 2009, Art was named conductor of   Charis Chamber Voices  in Westchester County, and performs three concerts a year with them.

Art Sjogren conducting Charis Vocal Choir

Commissions
Choral works have been commissioned for Pro Arte from major vocal composers including Steven Sametz, Dominick Argento, Robert Convery, Richard Price, Sven-David Sandstroem, Niel Van Der Watt, Jaakko Mäntyjärvi and Michael Waldenby.

Concert Tours

Art has made 23 concert tours to Europe, India, Africa, the Far East, South America and Israel with the New Canaan High School Madrigals.

Art Sjogren conducting abroad

Performing in sixteenth century costumes, the Madrigal Ensemble’s extensive a capella choral repertoire is one that includes medieval to contemporary motets, operatic excerpts, madrigals of the Renaissance, American spirituals and folk songs from many nations. Enthusiastic comments received from abroad following past tours have noted that “the singers were truly of professional quality and representative of the best of youth in every respect” and that “they most surely qualify as goodwill ambassadors of musical excellence.”

Career as an Educator
Maestro Sjögren was Director of Vocal Music at New Canaan High School in New Canaan, CT from 1975 - 2008. He was also on the conducting faculty of Fairfield University, and a Guest Lecturer at University of Bridgeport in 1972-73. Earlier teaching engagements include being on the faculties of Westminster Choir College, Barrington College, as well as Harvard University.

Masterclasses
Special masterclasses have been held in Pretoria, Port Elizabeth, Stellenbosh University at Cape Town, South Africa. Other masterclasses were held in Poland, Germany, and Concordia College. Maestro Sjogren also teaches Choral Conducting (Undergraduate and Graduate); Theory (Written and Sight-singing), as well as Private Voice Lessons; Voice Classes; and classes in Choral Literature.

Published Editions
As an editor, Arthur Sjogren has been published by C. F. Peters, G. Schirmer, Third World Publications and Walton Music. Among those whom he has edited are Purcell, Gurrero and Vierdank.

Recordings
Since 1995, all Pro Arte Singers concerts have been recorded; 12 have been released on CD, and one video documentary is available. New Canaan Madrigals have released 3 CDs of performances while touring internationally.

Professional Honors
Among the many grants received, from 1980 to the present, the National Endowment of the Arts have given 20 grants for choral performance, and the Connecticut Commission for the Arts have presented 10 grants for choral performance.

Contact