Eduardo Garcia-Novelli

Eduardo García-Novelli is the Director of Choral Studies at the University of Kansas, in Lawrence, KS, where he directs the graduate program in choral conducting and guides the university choral program. He comes to KU from Carthage College in Kenosha, WI, where he served as Director of Choral Activities and as Chair of the Music Department. During his tenure at Carthage, he led Carthage Choir to perform in five state conventions (WMEA and WCDA), three national tours, five European tours (concertizing in Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, the Vatican, Spain, Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Scotland), a solo debut concert at Carnegie Hall, and multiple concerts at Chicago Orchestra Hall. In July of 2019, Dr. García-Novelli led Carthage Choir to a coveted international recognition, winning both categories at the prestigious Spittal International Choir Competition in Spittal, Austria. In addition, he served for 10 years as Artistic Director of the Master Singers of Milwaukee.  

Prior to his time at Carthage, Dr. García-Novelli served for six years as Director of Choral Activities at Lamar University in Beaumont, TX, where he earned the Faculty Merit Award. During his time at the helm of the choral program, Lamar University A Cappella Choir was selected to perform at the prestigious annual TMEA Convention, an honor the institution received for the first time in 40 years. The choir was also selected to perform for the National Conference of NCCO (National Collegiate Choral Organization) in Cincinnati, OH; this was the first time a choral ensemble from Lamar University was recognized at the national level. Finally, the choir was the only American ensemble invited to perform for the IV International Choral Festival: Central America and the Caribbean Sing! in Panama City, Panama.  

A runner-up for the National ACDA Graduate Conducting Competition, Dr. García-Novelli is the former chorus director for the Symphony of Southeast Texas and served for five seasons as Assistant Director of the Houston Symphony Chorus, helping to prepare choral-orchestral repertoire for world-renowned conductors. Finally, he served for six seasons as the Assistant Conductor of the Coro Nacional de Jóvenes (National Young People Choir) of Argentina. In March of 2015, he conducted Schubert's Mass in G at Carnegie Hall, with a large festival choir, orchestra, and professional soloists. Dr. García-Novelli returned to that historic concert hall in March of 2017, this time conducting Mozart´s Coronation Mass. He conducted Mozart's Missa brevis in F, K192 at Peterskirche in Vienna in June of 2016, as part of the MidAm International Festival, and had his debut at the newest professional concert hall in Buenos Aires, the CCK, in July of 2017.  

As a church musician, Dr. García-Novelli has served churches in NJ, TX and WI, and he is currently the Choirmaster at Grace Episcopal Cathedral in Topeka, KS. He has held several offices for WCDA and NCACDA, and is a member of the National Board of the NCCO. He is active as a clinician and adjudicator in the US, Europe, China and South America. Recently Dr Garcia-Novelli was in residence for two weeks at the Tamara Brooks Summer Music Course in Tui, in Spain; offered a presentation for the World Choral Expo in Lisbon, Portugal; was a guest faculty member at the school of music in Banská Bystrica in Slovakia and served twice on the jury panel for the Voce Magna International Choral Competition in Žilina, Slovakia.  

In July of 2023 he led the University of Kansas Chamber Choir to a triumph at the Preveza International Choir Competition in Preveza, Greece, earning first prize at the Mixed Choir Category, first prize at the Free Program category, a special prize from the jury for “Best Program” and a special prize from the jury for “Best Conductor.”  

Born in Argentina, Dr. García-Novelli is a graduate of the Conservatorio Juan José Castro with an undergraduate degree in Choral Conducting, and from the Conservatorio Manuel de Falla, with another undergraduate degree in Music Education. After moving to the United States, he earned a Master's degree in Choral Conducting with distinction from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ, and received his D.M.A. from the Moores School of Music at the University of Houston, where he was a Moores Scholar.  

Eduardo and his wife María Fernanda Fiocchi are the proud parents of two grown children, Mateo and Camila.