Dr. Christoph Tietze
Choir Director
Dr. Tietze has been directing childrens’ choirs since 1979, both on the East coast and in California. He is currently Music Director/Organist at St. Mary’s Cathedral and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from SJSU, a Master of Music and a Master of Musical Arts from Yale University Institute of Sacred Music, and a Doctor of Sacred Music from the Graduate Theological Foundation. His choirs have performed throughout the United States and Europe, and his books on the Introits are published by World Library Publications and Liturgy Training Publications.
Marni Strome, (B.F.A., B.Ed., M.M., A.R.C.T.)
Marni Strome is active as a teacher, conductor, and clinician. She has taught music for 30 years in the Canadian public education system, and has also led the choir of St. Giles Presbyterian Church for almost 20 years. She worked with the Calgary Children’s Choir as a Music Director since its inception in 1988, assuming the role of Artistic Director in 1993. In this role she oversaw the entire choral program and directed the Children’s, Youth, and Adult choirs.
Having studied music formally from a young age, Marni Strome brings a lifelong love of music, singing, and the choral art to her profession. Attesting to the diversity of her skills, as a youth, Ms. Strome also won provincial and national awards for composition. Mentors include her mother, Marian Smith, a prodigious piano player, conductor, and musician; Rosemarie Sherban (founder of the Calgary Children’s Choir), David Ferguson, and Janos Horvath. Marni Strome received her bachelor’s degrees from the University of Calgary, and completed her Masters in Music degree from Holy Names University in Oakland, California, specializing in Music Education with Kodaly Emphasis. Ms. Strome has taught Kodaly Levels courses at both University of Calgary and Silver Winds (Manitoba) Summer programs.
She has studied choral conducting in numerous master class and summer seminar settings including Bulgaria, Hungary, Indianapolis, and California.
For fun, Ms. Strome enjoys spending time with her husband travelling, bike riding, reading, and exploring neighborhood ice cream and coffee shops.