Collegium Cincinnati names new artistic director

Collegium Cincinnati has named organist, conductor and composer Stephan Casurella as its next artistic director, tapping a longtime collaborator to lead the professional choral-instrumental ensemble beginning with the 2026-27 season.

The organization said the appointment builds on its longstanding relationship with Casurella, who has performed with Collegium Cincinnati and served as a guest conductor through the ensemble’s residency at Christ Church Cathedral.

“Because of our long association with Christ Church Cathedral as ensemble-in-residence and our deep professional relationship with Stephan, who has both performed with us and served as guest conductor, it made perfect sense to take this opportunity to formalize and solidify our relationship moving forward,” the organization said in its announcement.

A new era for Collegium Cincinnati

Casurella replaces Matthew Phelps, who announced in late April that he would step down from the role to take a position in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Phelps, a Cincinnati native, had led Collegium Cincinnati since May 2022 after succeeding founder Christopher Eanes, who departed for an administrative position in Washington, D.C., before the pandemic. Phelps helped shape the ensemble’s 2022-23 season, and his final performance with the group was May 10.

Now, Collegium Cincinnati is turning to another familiar figure in Cincinnati’s classical music community.

Casurella currently serves as canon precentor and director of music at Christ Church Cathedral, where he oversees all aspects of liturgy and music, conducts the Cathedral Choir, shares organ-playing duties and curates the church’s concert schedule. He also serves as an adjunct instructor at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and has composed works across a range of media, with a particular emphasis on sacred choral music.

Casurella earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in piano performance and music composition before receiving a doctor of musical arts degree in church music with an organ emphasis from the University of Kansas.

Under Casurella’s leadership, Collegium Cincinnati said it plans to continue presenting both traditional and contemporary repertoire, including its annual performance of Handel’s “Messiah” alongside works by modern composers. The organization plans to release additional details about its next season at a later date.