Artistic Director

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​Rodney Wynkoop has served as conductor and artistic director of the Choral Society of Durham since 1986. He is also the founding director of the Vocal Arts Ensemble of Durham, an elite chamber choir. He recently retired from Duke University, where he directed the Duke University Chorale for over 35 years, conducted the Duke Chapel Choir for almost 30 years, and served as the Director of University Choral Music. In the Music Department, he also taught choral conducting and served as Director of Performance.
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Dr. Wynkoop has twice led his choirs in performances at Carnegie Hall, and on numerous occasions at national and regional conventions of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA). He is a recipient of the Lara Hoggard Award for Distinguished Service in Choral Music in North Carolina, presented by the NC chapter of ACDA. In 2021, in honor of his 35 years as their artistic director, the Choral Society established the Wynkoop Fellowship Program, dedicated to ensuring that membership in the group is equally accessible to everyone.
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Dr. Wynkoop received his bachelor’s degree in music from Yale University, his master’s from the University of Wisconsin, and his doctorate from the Yale School of Music. Prior to coming to Duke in 1984, he held conducting positions at Yale, the University of Chicago, and Mount Holyoke College.

Full bio

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​Accompanist
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David Cole has been the Accompanist for the Choral Society of Durham since 2015.  A Raleigh native, David obtained a Bachelor of Church Music degree from Furman University in Greenville, SC in 2000, where his principal instrument was organ, studying with Dr. Charles Tompkins.  He then pursued a Master of Church Music degree from Samford University in Birmingham, AL with voice as his principal instrument.  David has served a number of churches in the NC Triangle and other southeastern states as Choir Director and Organist.  Since 2018 he has been the Associate Minister of Music and Organist for First Baptist Church in Henderson, where he oversees several choral and handbell ensembles, and also assists with musical productions at McGregor Hall.  In addition to these responsibilities, David is the Assistant Director and Accompanist for the NC Boys and Girls Choirs, based in Chapel Hill, and is in demand as an accompanist in the region.  David lives in Oxford with his wife Tiffany, their children Lillian and Sam, and dog Sali.