Shane Lynch Professor of Music, Director of Choral Activities
Wilson Hall 4026
540-458-8697
lynchs@wlu.edu
Shane Lynch is an award-winning conductor, composer, and music educator, assumed the position Director of Choral Activities at Washington and Lee University in the Fall of 2009. He conducts the University Singers, W&L’s SATB touring choir, and the Glee Club. Dr. Lynch also oversees the University’s innovative and unique choral conductor mentorship/teacher preparation program, the CCMP. Dr. Lynch is a sought-after clinician and guest conductor, having worked with groups throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia. Quite interested in musical scholarship, some of his recent research includes trends of Neo-Impressionism in modern American choral music and eurhythmic movements in the choral rehearsal and performance setting. He is also noted for conducting large-scale productions, including operas, oratorios, and festival concerts. Dr. Lynch has led choirs to festival and competition performances across the globe, and in October 2022, the University Singers became the first American choir ever to compete in the City of Derry International Choir Festival.
Dr. Lynch has received numerous accolades as a musician and educator, including the Junior Faculty Member of the Year at Monmouth College and the Outstanding Faculty Service Award at the University of Wisconsin—Barron. An active composer interested in a wide variety of compositional styles and mediums, he has commissioned compositions ranging from octavos to choral/orchestral works. His piece Joseph and Grace premiered in Ireland for the 100th Anniversary of the Easter Rising and won the 2017 National Collegiate Choral Organization composition contest, and he served as Composer-in-Residence for the Every Voice Festival of the City of Derry International Choir Festival.
Prior to his appointment at Washington and Lee, Dr. Lynch served as Visiting Director of Choral Activities at Monmouth College (Illinois) and Director of Choral Activities at the University of Wisconsin—Barron as well as several past positions in church music and teaching high school science.
Shane Lynch graduated from Concordia College (Moorhead, Minnesota), with degrees in Music and Physics, received the Master of Music degree in Conducting from the University of Northern Colorado, and completed his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Choral Conducting at the University of Washington.