Christopher Windle
Christopher Windle is a conductor, clinician, and educator praised for his “nuanced, soulful, clear, and expressive” conducting “firmly rooted in musical sensitivity and intelligence” (Augusta Read Thomas, composer). Based in Chicago, Windle has conducted ensembles in concert throughout North America and Europe.
As Artistic & Music Director of the William Ferris Chorale and Artistic Director of the Chicago Chamber Choir, Windle has commissioned and premiered works by over 20 composers, performed for national audiences at venues including the Harris Theater (Chicago), and collaborated with artists, musicians, and organizations from throughout the United States.
He continues to serve as the Associate Director of Music & Choirmaster at the Church of the Atonement in Chicago, where choirs sing weekly choral mass and monthly evensong.
A passionate teacher, Windle is on the conducting faculty at DePaul University School of Music. Previously, he taught at Benedictine University and Northwestern University's Bienen School of Music.
Past and guest engagements have included the Bridge Ensemble (Baltimore), Schola Laudis of the Monastery of the Holy Cross, Windy City Performing Arts, the Chicago Bar Association Chorus, Singing City (Philadelphia), the Maryland State Boychoir, the Pennsylvania Girlchoir, the Northfield Youth Choirs (Minnesota), Temple University, and Northwestern University's choral and opera departments. His long collaboration with Constellation Men's Ensemble (CME) culminated in his work as Editor of the NOVA Editions music series, which sought to expand the repertoire for tenor and bass voices.
Equally at home as a tenor, Windle has sung in professional choirs throughout the country, including The Crossing, Chicago’s Music of the Baroque, the Grant Park Chorus, the South Dakota Chorale, Bella Voce, and the Philadelphia Singers.
Windle holds degrees from St. Olaf College and Temple University, and earned his DMA in Choral Conducting from Northwestern University with Donald Nally. He serves on IL-ACDA leadership board as Community Choirs R&R Chair.
