Singers of Summerville this week announced their new Artistic Director, Ryan Pagels. They released the following statement:
"We are very excited to have Ryan leading us for the first time in our 20th anniversary concert on Sunday April 28, 2024, at 3:00 pm, entitled “Sentimental Journey.” This anniversary concert will be at Bethany United Methodist Church in Summerville, SC. Former directors Paul Fletcher, Dr. Valerie Bullock and David Richardson will be sharing the podium with Mr. Pagels as they guide us through this "Sentimental Journey" of the past twenty years of Singers of Summerville performances. A reception and silent auction will immediately follow at the Timrod Library across the street. You don't want to miss this historic event!
Now for more about our new Artistic Director. Ryan Pagels is a highly sought after conductor, composer, and pianist, and is currently serving as the Director of Music at the Unitarian Church of Charleston. Before moving to Charleston, Ryan was the Director of Music at St. John's Episcopal Church, Interim and then Assistant Artistic Director for the Cumberland Choral Arts, and Collaborative Pianist at Methodist University in Fayetteville, NC. Before Fayetteville, Ryan resided in Florida where he served as the Artistic Director and Conductor for the Marion Civic Chorale, Director of Music at Countryside Presbyterian Church, and as Chorusmaster for the Ocala Symphony Orchestra. He also served as the Resident Music Director at the Ocala Civic Theatre and directed throughout Central Florida ranging from community to professional and equity productions.
In 2010, Ryan made his Carnegie Hall debut, collaborated on recitals with faculty from Julliard, and was the pianist for the opening ceremonies of the World Equestrian Games. In 2011, he made his international debut, concertizing in Italy as part of the Orfeo Music Festival. Ryan has been invited as a guest artist and to give masterclasses throughout the U.S. and has also worked and concertized with a wide variety of musicians, including Audra McDonald, Marvin Hamlisch, Arlo Guthrie, and Wynonna Judd. In 2023, Ryan returned to Carnegie Hall to premiere the "Twilight Mass," by Ola Gjelio, and has also premiered works by Eric Whitacre and John Tichelli."
You can learn more at singersofsummerville.org.
