Workshop – Robert Shaw: Probing the Mind of a Master Presenter
Convention Hotel
7/8/2020 11:00 AM – 12:15 PM
Conductor – Closing Concert: Works for Organ & Orchestra
Peachtree Road United Methodist Church
7/10/2020 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Norman Mackenzie’s abilities as a musical collaborator, conductor, and concert organist have brought him international recognition. Appointed Director of Choruses for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra by Robert Spano in 2000, and holder of its endowed Frannie and Bill Graves Chair, he was chosen to help carry forward the creative vision of legendary founding conductor, Robert Shaw, to a new generation of music lovers. During his tenure, the chorus has made numerous tours, garnered several Grammy awards for Best Classical Album and Best Choral Performance, and has three times been invited to sing with the Berlin Philharmonic.
At the ASO, Norman prepares the choruses for all concerts and recordings, works closely with Robert Spano on the commissioning and realization of new choral-orchestral works, and conducts holiday concerts annually. He is also Director of Music and Fine Arts for Atlanta’s Trinity Presbyterian Church.
A native of suburban Philadelphia, Mr. Mackenzie made his debut as a pianist with the Philadelphia Orchestra at age 12 and as an organist at age 20. He holds degrees from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and Westminster Choir College and worked closely with Robert Shaw in a variety of capacities for 14 years. Mackenzie’s acclaimed Telarc recording of a cappella sacred music (featuring the Vaughan Williams’ Mass in G-Minor) represents the ASO Chamber Chorus’ first recording apart from the orchestra. He also appears on the Pipedreams label as organ soloist in Stephen Paulus’ Organ Concerto No. 1, which he commissioned with Trinity Presbyterian Church.