About
Eric Choate is an award-winning composer, conductor, and organist commended for his “highly inventive approach to the interleaving of polyphonic voices” (The Rehearsal Studio) and compositions described as “rapturous” and “quietly majestic” (Textura.org). His music has been performed artists including VOCES8, musicians of the San Francisco Symphony, American Bach Soloists, Las Cruces Symphony, Frederica von Stade, Johann Vexo, Vancouver Chamber Choir, Brian Thorsett, Emil Miland, Friction Quartet, and university choirs around the globe. His works are published by E.C. Schirmer and VOCES8 Publishing, with recordings released on the Arsis Audio and Ulysses Arts labels.
A sought-after conductor, Eric recently made his Carnegie Hall debut conducting Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem with the New England Symphonic Ensemble and a festival chorus. 2025-2026 highlights include serving as interim Chorus Master at the Marin Symphony, the SFCM Conservatory Chorus, and the inaugural season of Nebula Consort. Recent engagements include the San Francisco Boys Chorus, Göteborgs Symfoniska Kör & Vokalensemble (Sweden), Merced Symphony, San Francisco Symphony Chorus, Festival Napa Valley, Berkeley Symphony Chorus, and the Berkeley Community Chorus & Orchestra. He is founding artistic director of Nebula Consort, a professional chorus for emerging early-career singers.
Eric is professor of choral and organ music at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and gives solo recitals throughout the United States and Europe. In 2023, he was awarded a grant to study organ improvisation in Paris with Sophie-Véronique Cauchefer-Choplin. He holds the Fellowship Certificate (FAGO) from the American Guild of Organists and is Director of Music at The Episcopal Church of St. Mary the Virgin in San Francisco.
He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Theory and Composition from St. Olaf College and received a fellowship to study harmony and counterpoint at the European American Musical Alliance in Paris. He later completed a Master of Music degree at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music with David Conte. Eric lives in San Francisco with his wife, soprano Ellen Leslie.
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