Michael Busch

Biography

Dr. Michael Busch is professor of music at Concordia University Irvine, where he serves as Director of Choral and Vocal Activities. His teaching responsibilities include the areas of conducting, music theory, and choral methods. His work with the Concordia Choir and the Concordia Master Chorale is featured in an acclaimed concert series which annually attracts filled-to-capacity audiences to the Concordia Center for Worship and Performing Arts.

He has led the Concordia Choir on concert ministry tours throughout the United States, as well as through Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, and Italy. Most recently, he conducted the Concordia Choir on a tour through Germany and Austria to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, where they were featured at the impressive Berliner Dom, the Salzburg Residenz, and the Wittenberg Castle Church where Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses and started the Reformation.

Dr. Busch received the doctor of musical arts degree in the literature and performance of choral music from the University of Colorado, Boulder. He attained his master’s degree in both the fields of choral conducting and organ performance from San Jose State University. His work has been influenced by his studies with Charlene Archibeque, Lynn Whitten, Alan Luhring, and Roger Nyquist. Prior to his arrival at Concordia, he taught choral music at every grade level and administered large choral and orchestral music ministry programs in California and Colorado. It is his great joy to share his passion for music and to mentor musicians desiring to serve as music educators and church music leaders.

At Concordia, Dr. Busch instituted the MasterWorks Concert series which features performances of major choral works with professional orchestra. Under his direction, these concerts have included such works as the Bach Mass in B Minor, Mendelssohn Elijah, Mozart Grand Mass in C Minor, Haydn Lord Nelson Mass, Poulenc Gloria, Honegger King David, Handel Messiah, Mozart Requiem, Bach Magnificat, Bernstein Chichester Psalms, Mendelssohn St. Paul, Vaughan Williams Dona nobis pacem, Duruflé Requiem, and the Bach St. Matthew Passion.

In addition to his duties at Concordia, Dr. Busch is active as a guest conductor, festival organist, choral adjudicator and workshop leader at clinics, conventions and festival events throughout the western United States. He has served as Repertoire and Standards Chair for Music in Worship for the western division states of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) and has presented at conferences of the ACDA and Chorister’s Guild. He is the proud father of three boys and is happily married to his bride of over thirty years.

Education

San Jose State University, CA, B.M. Music, 1987

San Jose State University, CA, M.A., 1989

University of Colorado, Boulder, D.M.A., 1999

Teaching

Conductor, The Concordia Choir

Conductor, Concordia Master Chorale

Music Theory

Conducting

Choral Methods