Robert Dale Herrema

Robert Dale Herrema graduated from Calvin College and earned his Masters from University of Michigan. He studied under renowned music scholar Julius Herford at Indiana University. Studying under Robert Shaw at Westminster Choral College he prepared a choir and orchestra for a performance of Hayden's "Creation." Under famed conductor Helmuth Rilling, he has been a participating conductor of the Oregon Bach Festival. He has conducted at the Stuttgart Bach Academe and the Vienna Symposium.

As an author, he published over 200 choral reviews, as well as articles on conducting and choral music. He is a composer of commissioned works.

Before it was popular, he espoused cultural diversity by championing music of women and African Americans. In 1968, the year of Dr. King's assassination, Mr. Herrema became the Choral Director at predominately black Stillman College in Tuscaloosa Alabama. A year later he conducted a performance of Handel's "Messiah" at Stillman with his black choir and the white University of Alabama Orchestra.

Maestro Herrema retired after 32 years as Director of Choral and Orchestral Activities at Marywood University. While at Marywood, in 1978, he formed the professional group: Robert Dale Chorale. Then he started the Scranton Bach Festival. On campus he formed the Campus Choir.

His great joy as a gifted vocalist is only exceeded by his delight in helping develop the talents of young musicians. As a teacher, he was passionately dedicated to the professional growth of his students. To encourage a new generation of musicians, he helped form the Children's Choir and Summer Music Camps, which are in their thirtieth year.

Marywood University awarded Mr. Herrema the Order Cor Mariae-Pro Fide et Cultura. The Herrema Presidential Scholarship was an additional honor.

More recently, in addition to his keyboard artistry as a harpsichordist, Mr. Herrema plays the famous Fenner Douglas mechanical action organ at Sunday Services at the Bower Chapel in Moorings Park. This summer he is singing at a festival in Austria.