About

Steve Grives is currently Visiting Associate Professor and Director of Choral Ensembles at DePaul University in Chicago, IL. This academic year, Steve will conduct the University Singers and Concert Choir, prepare the chorus for "La Boheme" with the DePaul Opera Theater, and prepare the choirs for performances of Beethoven, Symphony No 9 with the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra and the DePaul Symphony Orchestra.

Steve has held academic appointments at several institutions, and has practical experience in the areas of choral conducting, orchestral conducting, early music and opera. Prior to his position at DePaul, Steve served as the director of choral activities at South Dakota State University for nine years. Known for their committed and engaging performances, SDSU choirs performed with guest artists and conductors including Charles Bruffy, Joseph Flummerfelt, Cantus and the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra. From 2010-12, Steve was the Patricia Noethe Pierce Distinguished Artist in Residence at SDSU, leading university choral ensembles in major works across the region. Ensembles under Steve's direction have performed at state and regional choral conferences, and at major national and international venues.

Outside of his work at SDSU, Steve directed the Dakota Men's Ensemble and produced and conducted opera and oratorio performances in South Dakota independently and with the Heartland Opera Troupe. With Heartland Opera, Steve conducted the premiere of University of Michigan composer Kristin Kuster's chamber opera The Trickster and the Troll, and produced an annual "Messiah Sing" with professional soloists and orchestra.

Steve earned a B.A. in Music from Bowdoin College where he studied conducting and early music with Robby Greenlee, double bass with George Rubino, and piano with Martin Perry. His M.M. is from the University of Maine, where, under Dennis Cox, Steve conducted the Collegiate Chorale and was the assistant conductor of the University Orchestra. At Maine, he studied voice with Ludlow Hallman and piano with Kathryn Foley. He received the D.M.A. in choral conducting and literature from the University of Colorado studying with Lawrence Kaptein and Joan Catoni Conlon. Steve conducted the Collegiate Chorale at CU, and assisted the choral faculty in preparing festival and choral/orchestral performances. Steve has participated in conducting masterclasses and summer programs and has sang in choirs under such distinguished conductors as Marin Alsop, Charles Bruffy, Simon Carrington, Dennis Keene, John Rutter, and Duaine Wolfe.

Steve is a member of several professional organizations including ACDA, Intercollegiate Men's Choruses Inc., and the National Collegiate Choral Organization. Steve currently serves on the Editorial Board of the Choral Journal as editor of the "Choral Reviews" column. He is in frequent demand as a guest conductor, guest lecturer, choral clinician, and adjudicator.