Gordon Nelson

Gordon Nelson, Founding Artistic Director of the international award-winning Detroit Concert Choir, built a truly great choral ensemble by challenging its members to reach beyond their own expectations to achieve extraordinary goals.

In 1987, Mr. Nelson created the Detroit Concert Choir to enhance the lives of others through music, and to provide a venue for musicians—professional and amateur—to share their talents with the community. It was Mr. Nelson's desire to enhance the lives of others through music became the foundation for a group that developed into local, national, and international pacesetters of choral music.

Under Mr. Nelson's leadership, the Detroit Concert Choir contributed greatly to the cultural vitality of the Metropolitan Detroit area, presenting 27 inspiring concert seasons, highlighted by performances with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and at National, Regional, and State American Choral Directors Association conventions.

In 1987, Mr. Nelson created the Detroit Concert Choir to enrich lives through music and provide a venue for musicians—professional and amateur—to share their talents with the community. His vision to enhance lives through music became the foundation and motivation for the group to develop into a local, national, and international pacesetter of choral music excellence.

Mr. Nelson led the choir for 27 seasons. Under his leadership, the Detroit Concert Choir contributed significantly to the Metropolitan Detroit area's cultural vitality, highlighted by performances with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and at National, Regional, and State American Choral Directors Association conventions.

Mr. Nelson achieved his Bachelor of Arts degree from Wheaton College, a Master of Education degree from Wayne State University, and a Master of Music degree from the University of Michigan. Early in his career, he was a tenor soloist and served as the director of several church choirs. From 1961 to 1979, Mr. Nelson served as Choral Director of Denby High School in Detroit and established a high standard of excellence that included international travel and award-winning performances. Mr. Nelson was an active member of the American Choral Directors Association, Chorus America, and the Tuesday Musicale of Detroit. He served as President of the Rita Guy Christian Music Foundation for 25 years.

A Lasting Legacy

Mr. Nelson's passion for brilliance and his extensive musical knowledge led the Detroit Concert Choir to eighteen national and international honors, including:

"Choir of the World" title at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in Wales
Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence (1997)
Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, Wales (1991, 1993, 1996, 2006)
Norwich-Sligo International Choral Festival, Ireland (1994)
Tolosa Choral Contest, Spain (1998)
Spittal an der Drau International Choral Contest, Austria (2001)
Seghizzi International Choral Competition, Italy (2004)

Gordon Nelson Scholarship Fund

There is a special joy that can only be found in the powerful blending of voices united in song. Through the centuries, music has helped capture the spirit and essence of great moments. Encouraging the future generation of musical talent is essential to preserving this tradition. A special fund has been established in the name of Detroit Concert Choir’s Founding Director.

The Fund was designed to:

Honor Gordon Nelson and keep his memory alive
Support our efforts to encourage young people to join the Detroit Concert Choir by helping defray membership costs
Provide financial assistance to worthy young musicians who share in the Detroit Concert Choir’s artistry

To support this funding opportunity, please designate Nelson Scholarship Fund in the memo line of your donation to the Detroit Concert Choir

Meet the 2025/26 Gordon Nelson Scholars

DCC Rectangle Logo KAREN COOK, soprano, is active as a choral artist with ensembles across the country, including the Berwick Chorus of the Oregon Bach Festival, the Spoleto Festival USA Chorus, the Baroque on Beaver Festival, Audivi, sounding light, ProArteOHIO, The Union, Vox GR, Beyond, Choral Artists of Michigan, Detroit Concert Choir, Toledo Opera, and Mariner’s Church of Detroit Choir. Karen has frequently been featured as a soloist in performances, including Bach's St. John Passion and Magnificat, Fauré’s Requiem, Mozart’s Requiem, Schubert's Mass in G, and Vivaldi’s Gloria. She has enjoyed singing with the DCC since 2016. Karen lives in Ypsilanti with her husband, Matt, and six other ladies: two dogs and four chickens.

DCC Rectangle Logo (2) MARYN O’BRIEN is a classically trained mezzo-soprano from southeast Michigan who received her Bachelor of Arts in Music from Oakland University in 2019. Although she spends her days managing a vintage shop in Royal Oak, Maryn continues to pursue music through choral singing as a member of the Detroit Concert Choir and the Grosse Pointe Community Chorus. Recently, Maryn’s creative experiences in performance and garment history and modification have culminated in costuming local shows, including the DCC’s 2024 Connoisseur Series production of Donizetti’s The Night Bell and Opera De Metro’s 2024 inaugural production of David Conte’s The Gift of the Magi.

DCC Rectangle Logo (3) AVA HAYES, soprano, holds a Music Education Degree from Michigan State University. While attending, she performed in the MSU Opera Theatre program in various operas, including Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi, Kurt Weill’s Street Scene, and Mozart’s La Clemenza di Tito. She recently enjoyed working as the music director for Stagecrafters’ Youth Theater program this past summer after returning from the European concert tour with the Detroit Concert Choir. Katie is the choir director at Warner Middle School in Farmington, where she teaches 6-8th grade students. She is excited to participate in her 3rd year with the DCC and looks forward to the season.