the Modus Opera Company: Justin Bischof

Justin Bischof, Conductor and Pianist A Canadian-Swiss resident of New York City, Justin Bischof has rapidly made a name for himself as a conductor in operatic and orchestral circles in New York and major music centers in the United States. He is an internationally acclaimed concert organist and improviser with a repertoire that spans from the Baroque to world premieres. He has performed over 100 times with orchestra both in the US. And abroad. Mr. Bischof is an active vocal coach and accompanist who regularly performs and records with singers and instrumentalists. The multi-gifted Justin Bischof is a composer in many genres, including classical and film scores.

In August 2005 he concluded a highly successful production of Menotti's The Medium and The Telephone with members of the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra in association with Hawaii Opera Theatre. He is the Artistic & General Director of The Modus Opera Company of New York City, a vibrant company that is quickly becoming known for its first rate productions. He is the conductor of the Anechoic Chamber Ensemble, which presents several contemporary music programs every season.

His recent conducting engagements include Haydn Lord Nelson Mass (New York)Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5 and Brahms Tragic Ouverture (Germany); Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro in a new production with Modus Opera (NYC); Donizetti’s Elixir of Love with Regina Opera (NYC); cover and rehearsal conductor for Manhattan School of Music Symphony and Philharmonia. Mr. Bischof has served as assistant conductor to Alistar Neale (New World Symphony), Steve Osgood (AOP), Steve Crawford (Metropolitan Opera) and Alex Guzman (Bronx Symphony). His conducting studies include advanced work with Kenneth Kiesler, Steve Crawford, and Gustav Meier.

Mr. Bischof is one of the world’s finest improvisers, having won first prize in the 2000 American Guild of Organists National Improvisation Competition in Seattle. His all improvisation performances have been met with critical acclaim throughout the U.S. and the world including San Francisco, Zurich, Paris, Seattle and Milwaukee. Several European tours have taken him to England, France, Czech Republic, and Switzerland and such venues as St. Paul’s Cathedral and St. Eustache. He has toured Australia and New Zealand twice and will return in 2007.

He is one of the rare organists who perform extensively with orchestra on a regular basis. He has performed with numerous orchestras including the Zurich Symphony Orchestra, Musica Viva Orchestra, Riverside Choral Society Orchestra, and with members of the Orchestra of St. Luke’s. His highly praised performance of Samuel Barber’s rarely performed Toccata Festiva with the Zurich Symphony Orchestra at the Tonhalle, Zurich, was a season highlight. He was a featured soloist with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Andreas Delf in the world premiere performances of The Revelation of St. John by Daniel Schneider, composer-in-residence. In addition to the performances, which were recorded for NPR, Swiss Television interviewed him for later broadcast. In June 2006 he made a highly anticipated return appearance in Saint Saën’s Symphony No. 3 “Organ” under the direction of Maestro Delf in a program shared with violinist Joshua Bell that included an improvisation on excerpts from The Red Violin. A live recording of the symphony which was broadcast on NPR will be available online via the MSO website shortly. In September he was a featured soloist at the International Organ Festival in Olomuc, Czech Republic presented by the Moravian Philharmonic and recorded for Czech Radio.

Justin Bischof has a long and distinguished career as a professional liturgical musician both in church and temple. He was Associate Organist of the historic St. James the United Church of Montreal before moving to New York City where he was appointed Associate Director of Music of The Church of the Heavenly Rest 5th Avenue at the age of 20. He conducted the professional choir and founded the Carnegie Hill Concert Series which brought over 5,000 people to the church every year. In 1995 he was named Director of Music and Organist at the 19th century Church of the Resurrection located at 74th street and Park Avenue. He formed a 10 voice professional choir that presented a full Renaissance mass weekly for 6 years and was comprised of early music musicians from around the world. He has served as Music Director & Conductor of Westchester Reform Temple in Scarsdale for the past 12 years. This internationally acclaimed institution is a leader in the Reform movement with liturgical music playing an integral role in the life of the institution.

As an active coach and accompanist he regularly performs and records with singers and instrumentalists. One of New York City’s premier chamber musicians, he has performed in hundreds of concerts at such venues as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and the 92nd Street Y. He works regularly with members of The Orchestra of St. Luke’s as organist, pianist and harpsichordist. Mr. Bischof regularly collaborates with such renowned artists as David Geber (founding cellist American String), David Krakaurer and Roberta Peters with whom he performs annually. In addition he has worked with Alan Held, Richard Zeller, and Kevin McMillan.

Composition plays an important role in Mr. Bischof’s life, working as he does in many genres including classical and film scores. His Rejoice in the Lord for male chorus and organ received its world premiere at Notre Dame in Paris as part of a 5 country tour with other performances in Germany and he Netherlands. He and the brilliant young composer Tobias Wagner have come together to form “Bischof & Wagner Productions” which is dedicated to writing new music for new films that goes beyond the modern synaesthetic vocabulary.

He can be heard on several recordings including part of the The Milken Archive on the Naxos label and Justin Bischof & Friendson the Ethereal labelwhich includes the world premiere of Aaron Miller’s Concerto for 2 Organists (which he commissioned) with Ken Cowan and the Zurich Symphony Orchestra. He is also featured on the Great Organs of New York a 4 CD set that showcases 23 organs in New York City (Mr. Bischof was the co-creator/producer of the project). His much anticipated first all improvisation CD will be released in Fall 2007 and will showcase the 5 manual instruments at The Church of the Heavenly Rest in New York.

Justin Bischof is a highly respected and experienced producer with over 40 CDs to his credit. He has worked with such artists as Alice Parker, Jon Aler, Ken Cowan, Stephen Tharp and William Trafka; such ensembles as The Zurich Symphony Orchestra, The American Boy Choir, The Princeton Singers, Musica Viva Orchestra, and The Choir of St. Bartholemew's at venues including The Tonhalle (Zurich), St. Mary the Virgin (NYC), and St. Bartholemew's Church.

	The Modus Opera Company Justin Bischof, Artistic Director & Conductor Mission Statement Past Productions Artists Young Artist Recital Series Artistic Director Board of Directors Donate
	A Canadian-Swiss resident of New York City, Justin Bischof has rapidly made a name for himself as a conductor in operatic and orchestral circles in New York and major music centers in the United States. He is an internationally acclaimed concert organist and improviser with a repertoire that spans from the Baroque to world premieres. He has performed over 100 times with orchestra both in the US. And abroad. Mr. Bischof is an active vocal coach and accompanist who regularly performs and records with singers and instrumentalists. The multi-gifted Justin Bischof is a composer in many genres, including classical and film scores. In August 2005 he concluded a highly successful production of Menotti's The Medium and The Telephone with members of the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra in association with Hawaii Opera Theatre. He is the Artistic & General Director of The Modus Opera Company of New York City, a vibrant company that is quickly becoming known for its first rate productions. He is the conductor of the Anechoic Chamber Ensemble, which presents several contemporary music programs every season. His recent conducting engagements include Haydn Lord Nelson Mass (New York)Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5 and Brahms Tragic Ouverture (Germany); Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro in a new production with Modus Opera (NYC); Donizetti’s Elixir of Love with Regina Opera (NYC); cover and rehearsal conductor for Manhattan School of Music Symphony and Philharmonia. Mr. Bischof has served as assistant conductor to Alistar Neale (New World Symphony), Steve Osgood (AOP), Steve Crawford (Metropolitan Opera) and Alex Guzman (Bronx Symphony). His conducting studies include advanced work with Kenneth Kiesler, Steve Crawford, and Gustav Meier. Mr. Bischof is one of the world’s finest improvisers, having won first prize in the 2000 American Guild of Organists National Improvisation Competition in Seattle. His all improvisation performances have been met with critical acclaim throughout the U.S. and the world including San Francisco, Zurich, Paris, Seattle and Milwaukee. Several European tours have taken him to England, France, Czech Republic, and Switzerland and such venues as St. Paul’s Cathedral and St. Eustache. He has toured Australia and New Zealand twice and will return in 2007. He is one of the rare organists who perform extensively with orchestra on a regular basis. He has performed with numerous orchestras including the Zurich Symphony Orchestra, Musica Viva Orchestra, Riverside Choral Society Orchestra, and with members of the Orchestra of St. Luke’s. His highly praised performance of Samuel Barber’s rarely performed Toccata Festiva with the Zurich Symphony Orchestra at the Tonhalle, Zurich, was a season highlight. He was a featured soloist with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Andreas Delf in the world premiere performances of The Revelation of St. John by Daniel Schneider, composer-in-residence. In addition to the performances, which were recorded for NPR, Swiss Television interviewed him for later broadcast. In June 2006 he made a highly anticipated return appearance in Saint Saën’s Symphony No. 3 “Organ” under the direction of Maestro Delf in a program shared with violinist Joshua Bell that included an improvisation on excerpts from The Red Violin. A live recording of the symphony which was broadcast on NPR will be available online via the MSO website shortly. In September he was a featured soloist at the International Organ Festival in Olomuc, Czech Republic presented by the Moravian Philharmonic and recorded for Czech Radio. Justin Bischof has a long and distinguished career as a professional liturgical musician both in church and temple. He was Associate Organist of the historic St. James the United Church of Montreal before moving to New York City where he was appointed Associate Director of Music of The Church of the Heavenly Rest 5th Avenue at the age of 20. He conducted the professional choir and founded the Carnegie Hill Concert Series which brought over 5,000 people to the church every year. In 1995 he was named Director of Music and Organist at the 19th century Church of the Resurrection located at 74th street and Park Avenue. He formed a 10 voice professional choir that presented a full Renaissance mass weekly for 6 years and was comprised of early music musicians from around the world. He has served as Music Director & Conductor of Westchester Reform Temple in Scarsdale for the past 12 years. This internationally acclaimed institution is a leader in the Reform movement with liturgical music playing an integral role in the life of the institution. As an active coach and accompanist he regularly performs and records with singers and instrumentalists. One of New York City’s premier chamber musicians, he has performed in hundreds of concerts at such venues as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and the 92nd Street Y. He works regularly with members of The Orchestra of St. Luke’s as organist, pianist and harpsichordist. Mr. Bischof regularly collaborates with such renowned artists as David Geber (founding cellist American String), David Krakaurer and Roberta Peters with whom he performs annually. In addition he has worked with Alan Held, Richard Zeller, and Kevin McMillan. Composition plays an important role in Mr. Bischof’s life, working as he does in many genres including classical and film scores. His Rejoice in the Lord for male chorus and organ received its world premiere at Notre Dame in Paris as part of a 5 country tour with other performances in Germany and he Netherlands. He and the brilliant young composer Tobias Wagner have come together to form “Bischof & Wagner Productions” which is dedicated to writing new music for new films that goes beyond the modern synaesthetic vocabulary. He can be heard on several recordings including part of the The Milken Archive on the Naxos label and Justin Bischof & Friendson the Ethereal labelwhich includes the world premiere of Aaron Miller’s Concerto for 2 Organists (which he commissioned) with Ken Cowan and the Zurich Symphony Orchestra. He is also featured on the Great Organs of New York a 4 CD set that showcases 23 organs in New York City (Mr. Bischof was the co-creator/producer of the project). His much anticipated first all improvisation CD will be released in Fall 2007 and will showcase the 5 manual instruments at The Church of the Heavenly Rest in New York. Justin Bischof is a highly respected and experienced producer with over 40 CDs to his credit. He has worked with such artists as Alice Parker, Jon Aler, Ken Cowan, Stephen Tharp and William Trafka; such ensembles as The Zurich Symphony Orchestra, The American Boy Choir, The Princeton Singers, Musica Viva Orchestra, and The Choir of St. Bartholemew's at venues including The Tonhalle (Zurich), St. Mary the Virgin (NYC), and St. Bartholemew's Church.