is Director of Sacred Music at the Cathedral of The Most Blessed Sacrament, and for the Archdiocese of Detroit, Michigan, and prior in a similar position in St. Louis. He received his first musical training in a boys choir in his native Germany. After studies in organ, church music, and composition, he graduated from the University of Arts in Berlin and continued his studies in conducting at Indiana University, where he earned the degree of Doctor of Music in Opera and Orchestral Conducting.
Dr. Buchholz’ lifelong passion for and schooling in Early Music became a bedrock for later co-founding along with International Chant Academy Dean and Faculty member, Michael Rocchio, Pro-Arte Saint Louis, the only vocal ensemble dedicated to the performance of Early Music in the Midwest.
“Seeing the fascination of our audiences in St. Louis with visiting Early Music ensembles, it was a logical step to found one here in town. While we are blessed with a few very fine larger choirs in St. Louis, there also needed to be a group like Pro-Arte with a specialization in Early Music. We can complement each other perfectly.” ~ Horst Buchholz
Horst’s interest in Early Music began with his fascination for Gregorian chant, which was still being sung on a regular basis in his German hometown after Vatican II. While studying organ with Heinz Lohmann, he explored Baroque music from different countries, as well as sources on performance practice. Combining those experiences with numerous visits to some of the historic pipe organs from that period, he had the opportunity to form a better understanding of how that music might have sounded. Later, Horst had the privilege to study and work with a great choral conductor by the name of Uwe Gronostay. He directed the Berlin Radio Choir, the Berlin Philharmonic Chorus, and the Netherlands Chamber Choir, and he firmly believed in the individualized approach to each composer and musical style.
Horst is active as a conductor, organist, and lecturer throughout the USA, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Asia, having performed in major cathedrals and concert halls around the world. He was Music Director of the San Antonio Youth Orchestras, the Denver Philharmonic, Resident Conductor with Opera Colorado, and guest conductor with several orchestras in the United States. Buchholz was Associate Professor at St. John Vianney Seminary, the University of Denver, and served on the faculty of Cleveland State University. Dr. Buchholz also taught as orchestra director at Washington University in St. Louis. Prior to his appointments in St. Louis, he held similar positions at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Denver and Trinity Cathedral in Cleveland.
Horst Buchholz is also the Vice-President of the Church Music Association of America, and a regular faculty member of their annual Church Music Colloquium.
Horst has worked with choirs in a manner that is historically informed and tries to capture the spirit of the era, genre, and composer.
