Leadership

James Marck received his bachelor’s in Music Composition from Bradley University, where he studied with Stephen Heinemann, John Jost, and Ed Kaizer. He is currently in pursuit of his Master’s in Music Composition at Northern Illinois University, where he has studied with Brian Penkrot and Eric Johnson, a Kantorei Alum. He is an active member of ACDA and ASCAP. Between 2003-2014, Mr. Marck served the Peoria, IL community as co-founder of the mixed, multi-genre acapella group, Acaharmodies, as vice president and accompanist for the nonprofit opera organization Dramatic Crossroads, as music director for the 108-voice chorus of Cornstock Community Theater’s 2012 production of Hairspray, and as director of music for Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church. He also recruited dozens of youth to American Federation Pueri Cantores, directing various performances in Peoria, Chicago, and Europe, including the 40th International Congress in Rome.

Since settling in Rockford in 2015, Mr. Marck has sung with Camerata Emanon, volunteer-instructed music theory for Youth Against Violence Organization (YAVO), taught general music at Veritas Christi Hybrid, served on the program coordinating committee of the Rockford Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, and co-facilitated the launch of Rockford Rhythm (a joint initiative of Phantom Regiment and the Rockford Symphony Orchestra). While director of music at Court Street United Methodist Church, he formed a section leader exchange program with Rockford University, and his choir was selected to participate in Manhattan Concert Productions’ 2017 Carnegie Hall performance of Maurice Duruflé’s Requiem. He currently serves as the Artistic Director to Kantorei, director of music for St. Mary’s Oratory, section leader for the Mendelssohn Chorale, and as Patron Services Coordinator for the Rockford Symphony Orchestra.