Professor
D.M., M.M., Indiana University
B.M.E., Florida State University
Conductor Melinda O’Neal has been praised for her “lucid and musical understanding of the score” and “moving and satisfying interpretations” by Hugh Macdonald, Berlioz scholar and music critic. She is artistic director & conductor emeritus of Handel Choir of Baltimore (2004-2013) and professor of music at Dartmouth College where she teaches conducting, theory and history courses.
With Handel Choir of Baltimore, an oratorio ensemble performing baroque, classical and early romantic music with period instruments and music to the present, O’Neal collaborated with Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Bach Sinfonia, American Opera Theatre and Peabody Early Music. Her performances of works with chorus and period instruments included Mozart’s Requiem, Haydn’s
Die Schöpfung,
Theresienmesse and
Paukenmesse, Handel’s
Messiah,
Jephtha,
Semele and
Ode to the Birthday of Queen Anne, Bach cantatas, and Purcell symphony anthems.
The Baltimore Sun noted, "Melinda O'Neal has steadily and rapidly honed this ensemble into quite a potent chorus… It was a thoughtfully constructed, entertaining program delivered with an informed sense of historic style.”
O’Neal led Handel Society of Dartmouth College (1979-2004) and Dartmouth Chamber Singers (1979-1996), taught at Indiana University and University of Georgia, founded and conducted Boston Vocal Artists’ Sonique, and has been guest conductor of the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, Hanover Chamber Orchestra, Seattle Symphony Chorale, and Vermont and New Hampshire Symphony Orchestras.
Her research focuses on music of Hector Berlioz and historical performance practices. She is currently writing
Experiencing Berlioz: A Listener's Companion to be published by Scarecrow Press in 2015, and is designing a new course, Brahms, Berlioz and the Romantic Imagination, for Fall 2013. O’Neal serves on the research and publications committee of American Choral Directors Association.