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Education

DMA, Choral Conducting, Michigan State University
MA, Choral Conducting, University of Iowa
BA, Music Education, Luther College

Biography

Zack Durlam serves as Director of Choral Activities at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Artistic Director of the Master Singers of Milwaukee, and choir director at Grace Lutheran Church in Grafton, Wisconsin. He previously taught at Fresno Pacific University where he received the university’s Faculty Distinguished Service Award.  Prior to that, Durlam taught secondary vocal music for twelve years – including nine at Iowa City West High School where his Chamber Choir was chosen to perform at the North Central American Choral Directors Association conference and the music department was one of seven programs in the nation named a Gold Signature School by the Grammy Foundation. He received his bachelor’s degree from Luther College, master’s from the University of Iowa, and doctorate from Michigan State University. 51���� choirs under his direction were finalists in the American Prize competition and have been selected for performances on conferences of the Wisconsin Choral Directors Association (WCDA), Wisconsin Music Educators Association (WMEA), and the 10-state Midwestern American Choral Directors Association (MWACDA). Choirs under Durlam’s direction have also appeared on professional Milwaukee tour stops with Andrea Bocelli, the Eagles, the Rolling Stones, and music from the Final Fantasy video games. Durlam has presented at state and regional conferences of ACDA and WMEA, and he frequently works as a guest conductor and clinician. He is a past president of WCDA and currently serves as president-elect of MWACDA. He was recently recognized with the “Distinguished Citizen – Professional in the Arts” award by the Civic Music Association of Milwaukee. His research on the choral/orchestral psalm settings of Mendelssohn and Handel is published in the Choral Journal, and he is currently pursuing a project exploring efficient choral score study methods.

Recent & Selected Works

Artistic Works & Performances

• Hope, a choral concert collaboration between the Master Singers of Milwaukee and the Violins of Hope, November 2025. Info on this and other MSM performances at

Awards

• Civic Music Milwaukee 2024-2025 Distinguished Citizen – Professional in the Arts, May 2025