Loren Squires introduced outstanding choral music to thousands of students during the 39 years he taught in the south metro high schools. Through excellent mentoring, he launched many of these boys and girls on their paths to careers in music education and performance.
Musical maestro retiring from South Metro Chorale
Loren Squires has built up a mountain of goodwill over his 52 years of teaching and choral directing in the south metro area.
December 8, 2010 at 12:47AM
On retirement from teaching, Squires continued his passion for choral music by founding the South Metro Chorale and honing it into one of the elite community choirs in the greater Twin Cities area.
A humble person, Loren typically scoffs when fellow musicians and chorale members tell him that he is one of the most accomplished choral directors in the nation: "Nonsense! There are lots of directors better than I am." Perhaps, but such laudatory comments show that he is held in the highest possible regard.
After 13 years as artistic director, Loren Squires will retire from the South Metro Chorale when he sets his baton down on Sunday after directing a sing-along performance of arguably the greatest piece of music ever written: Handel's "Messiah." This concert will be presented at 2:30 p.m. at All Saints Catholic Church in Lakeville.
A reception after the concert will celebrate Loren's distinguished careers with the south metro schools and the chorale. All are welcome to attend the reception -- particularly the many who have been touched by Squires' music and humanity over the past 52 years.
Tim Malone will replace Loren as artistic director of the South Metro Chorale. Now a young grandfather, Tim was the former teacher's student at Burnsville High just a "few" years ago.
Loren Squires will continue to lead the Vagabonds, a 16-voice, perfect-blend touring ensemble that presented five concerts in Europe two months ago. He will be planning more Vagabonds tours to faraway places and using "music, the international language of mankind" (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow) to bring "Minnesota nice" to people of other lands and cultures.
Safe and enjoyable travels, Maestro! You have richly earned them.
Jerry Goodrich of Prior Lake is a former Air Force officer and magazine editor, a private pilot, vocalist and avid bicyclist.
