Robert Istad

Robert Istad is Music Director of the Pacific Chorale. He is professor of Music and Director of Choral Studies at California State University, Fullerton. He is also Artistic Director of the Long Beach Camerata Singers and Long Beach Bach Festival.

Istad received his Bachelor of Arts degree in music from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, his Master of Music degree in choral conducting from California State University, Fullerton, and his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral music at the University of Southern California. He studied conducting with Dr. William Dehning, John Alexander and Dr. Jon Hurty. 

Istad serves as President of the California chapter of the American Choral Director’s Association, and is in demand as an adjudicator, guest conductor, speaker and clinician throughout the nation.

Istad was recognized as Professor of the Year in 2016 and he has prepared choruses for a number of American’s finest conductors and orchestras; including Gustavo Dudamel  and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Carl St. Clair and the Pacific Symphony Orchestra and many others. 

photo by Alex Koppel (delivered by label)