Rinsema comes to Kantorei from the Phoenix Chorale, where he served as President and CEO as well as Assistant Conductor for 14 seasons under Conductor and Artistic Director Charles Bruffy.
The Phoenix Chorale won two Grammy awards and received eight nominations during Rinsema’s tenure. Rinsema also negotiated a recording deal with Chandos Records.
“We see in Joel an ability to take Kantorei to the next level artistically while using his vast experience to help us mature as an organization,” Kantorei Board President Brad Larson said in a press release.
Listen to Sacred Classics at 9 a.m. this Sunday on CPR Classical to hear an interview with Rinsema.
Rinsema signed a three-year contract and will lead his first concert with Kantorei in May. He'll officially assume the artistic director position July 1.
Rinsema plans to commute to Denver weekly for rehearsals and performances. He’ll continue as President and CEO of the Phoenix Chorale but relinquish his position as assistant conductor and singer for the group.
Former Kantorei Artistic Director and Conductor Richard Larson conducted his final concert with the group in May, retiring after 16 seasons with the group. Interim conductor Sarah Harrison led Kantorei for its 2013-14 season.
For more on Rinsema, here’s a video filmed after he won the Louis Botto Award for Innovative Action and Entrepreneurial Zeal from Chorus America in 2013.
Sacred Classics host David Rutherford will interview Rinsema at 9 a.m. Sunday. The show airs 6 to 10 a.m. each Sunday.
