Guest Conductor

Anthony Trecek-King

Conductor for the 2026 Festival

Dr. Anthony Trecek-King is a highly acclaimed choral conductor, scholar, pedagogue, and media personality with a career spanning over 20 years. He is an active guest conductor, serves as a Resident Conductor (chorus) with the Handel and Haydn Society, Artistic Director of the Berkshire Choral International, and a Creative Advisor for the Voces8 U.S. Foundation. Recognized for his ability to create moving performances that exhibit a surprising range of dynamics and depth of expression, Trecek-King excels at cultivating vocal and instrumental musicians at all levels. Through his collaborative rehearsal style, he bridges the gap between high art and humanity, captivating audiences while maintaining exceptional sonic quality.

Ensembles under his direction were integral to projects that have won a Pulitzer Prize (Madam White Snake, Zhou Long), received a Grammy (Fantastic Mr. Fox, Boston Modern Orchestra Project), and earned the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award from Presidential Committee on the Arts (Boston Children’s Chorus). Trecek-King has worked with a variety of artists and ensembles including Leslie Odom Jr., Melinda Doolittle, the San Francisco Symphony Chorus, The Houston Chamber Choir, Seraphic Fire, Keith Lockhart, John Williams, Gil Rose, Simon Halsey, Yo Yo Ma, and Roomful of Teeth. He has led performances in world-renowned venues including Boston Symphony Hall, the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., Carnegie Hall in New York City, Royal Albert Hall in London, and the Sydney Opera House.

In addition to his conducting work, Trecek-King is the host of the classical radio show The Silent Canon, which airs on KNVO 90.7. He can also be seen on-air and online on the Emmy nominated WGBH television series Sing That Thing, and two TEDx Boston talks. He holds a B.M. in cello performance from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, an M.M. in orchestral conducting from Florida State University, and a D.M.A. in choral conducting from Boston University. He currently lives in the Boston area with his partner Melanie (of Thinking is Power) and their cat.

It is our pleasure to welcome Dr. Anthony Trecek-King to Western Michigan University as guest conductor of the 86th annual Southwestern Michigan Vocal Festival to be held in Miller Auditorium on March 19, 2026.

To watch a special video message from Dr. Anthony about the festival, click here.