Conductor, Arts Administrator, Educator
Biography
David J. Fitzpatrick is known for his innovative programing, creative and strategic thinking, and a collaborative leadership style that’s allowed him to grow flourishing programs with singers and instrumentalists from a variety of backgrounds. These skills, combined with his diverse and extensive experience in conducting and arts administration have laid a firm foundation in his career.
Currently, David J. Fitzpatrick is the Artistic Director and Conductor of The Montgomery County Chorale and Orchestra (MCCO) in Fort Washington, PA., and Artistic Director of the Wheatland Chorale in Lancaster PA. In this role with MCCO, David serves as the principal conductor of the chorale and orchestra. In addition to his artistic responsibilities, he works with the board and other committees to ensure the internal success of the organization. Since his appointment, MCCO has seen substantial growth, including a 70% increase in donations and 30% increase in concert attendance. In addition, the organization has welcomed over 80 new members in just five years. He also established the Music Scholars Education Program and the Michael Kemp Fund for New Music. As Artistic Director of the Wheatland Chorale, David conducts the highly-auditioned choir in two concerts a year. During his time, the choir has welcomed 35 new singers, concert attendance has increased by 15%, and donorship increased by 80%. In addition, David prepared the Allentown Symphony Chorus for their spring 2023 concert.
Prior these appointments, David was Director of Music and the Arts at Doylestown Presbyterian Church (DPC). In this capacity, he conducted the Chancel Choir, the DPC orchestra, two hand bell choirs, and a middle school children’s choir. He also founded and conducted the 80-voice Bucks County Ecumenical Choir (which grew from 25 to 80 singers in four years). As the administrator of the program, David oversaw three staff members, a graded children’s choir and hand bell program, the “Celebrate the Arts” performing and visual arts series, and the overall administrative needs of the program. David always seeks to develop and nurture relationships while seeking opportunities to think creatively. At DPC, he created several new initiatives to the music program, including three new ensembles, additional annual concerts and a children’s summer camp. During his tenure, David increased participation in the music program from 90 to 200 members, and he increased sponsorship for the Celebrate the Arts program by 70%.
From 2016-2019 David served as the Assistant Conductor of the Bucks County Choral Society, a 100-voice auditioned community choir. In this capacity, he assisted the artistic director with any artistic necessities, aided in the preparation of all concerts, and helped plan programming for each concert season. He was responsible for the direction of the chamber choir, the family Christmas concert, the Singing for Seniors program, and the Voices of the Future scholarship program. David has also served as the Assistant Director of Music at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, in Philadelphia, PA, and Director of vocal studies at St. Benedict’s Preparatory School in Newark, NJ. In addition, he served on the conducting staff at Rutgers University-Camden and the Greater South Jersey Chorus.
A strong advocate for commissioning and premiering new music from a diverse group of composers, David has commissioned works by Dan Forrest, Nancy Gifford, Andrea Ramsey, and Tom Shelton. As Artistic Director of MCCO, he created the Michael Kemp Fund for new music to honor the founder and only other conductor of the organization. Through this fund, MCCO will commission composers, focusing on women, and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color), and other under-represented composers, to write pieces for choir and orchestra every two years. Dr. Rollo Dilworth is the first composer through this fund. His piece To Sing and Rejoice for choir and orchestra premiered on April 16, 2023. The next commissioned composer will be Melissa Dunhpy. Her piece for choir and orchestra will be premiered in December of 2025.
David is an honors graduate of both Westminster Choir College and The University of Arizona. He studied conducting with Dr. Bruce Chamberlain, Dr. Joseph Flummerfelt, Dr. James Jordan, Sun Min Lee, Dr. Andrew Megill and Dr. Elizabeth Schauer. He also holds a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Drexel University.
Testimonials
Shirley Guzman
Montgomery County Chorale and Orchestra
As a singer under the direction of David Fitzpatrick, I can confidently say that he is an exceptional leader and musician. David's passion for music is evident in every rehearsal and concert, and his ability to create a productive, engaging, and fun environment is unmatched. His concerts are full of life and energy, and his choice of music is both adventurous and intentional. David's commitment to diversity and inclusion is also admirable, as he welcomes people of all backgrounds to his choir and intentionally commissions music from underrepresented composers. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with David and cannot imagine singing under any other director. I highly recommend David Fitzpatrick to anyone looking for a talented and passionate choir director.
Alec Dorris
Professional Singer
David’s passion for music is clear in every setting I have worked with him. His desire to share his knowledge of the music with the people he works with and to share great music with people from all different backgrounds is evident throughout the rehearsal process and in the concert. David has the ability to accomplish so much in the time given for rehearsals and has such an acute attention to every detail in the music and it leads to a great experience and a desire to continue to improve as a musician. Working with David was such a pleasure and the work we did is something I will carry with me throughout my entire life and journey as a musician. I look forward to the next opportunity that arises to be a part of one of David’s choirs so that I can continue to learn and grow as a musician and be encouraged to be the best I can be!
Susan Johnson
Bucks County Choral Society and Ecumenical Choir
I have worked with David in several capacities – as a colleague, working on various outreach initiatives, and programming concerts, and as a singer under his tutelage with the Bucks County Ecumenical Choir and the Bucks County Choral Society. In all of these endeavors I find David to be a consummate musician who tirelessly strives for the best possible musical product, whether it’s working with professional or non-professionals. He works with high-quality, definite goals in mind, yet achieves these goals with good humor and kind understanding. His conducting is clean, clear and concise whether working with voices or orchestra. Rehearsals are well-thought out and efficiently run, having been organized weeks and even months in advance, resulting in top-notch performances.
Al Martin
Montgomery County Chorale and Orchestra
As a member of the Montgomery County Chorale and Orchestra, I have had the pleasure of participating in the group and experiencing David's talent for conducting. I have appreciated his ability to explain in simple but accurate terms the intent of often complex musical works. He allows us to focus on the subtle nuances that can bring a piece to life and closer to the intent of the composer. David is extremely organized, well thought out practice sessions that are often frenetic in speed but are laser focused on specific musical elements. Yet at the same time he brings a light hearted jovial touch to the proceedings which makes it a joyful experience for everyone. It is a pleasure to participate in an organization that has such a talented individual who is able to share his expertise but also his passion for his work.