Mr. Dan McElrath has been appointed Artistic Director of the Coast Chorale

As Coast Chorale wraps up an era with the retirement of Mr. Allen Henson, the Board of
Directors is proud to announce the appointment of Mr. Dan McElrath as the new Artistic
Director. Dan and his wife Christy, along with their family moved from Alaska to the Mississippi
Gulf Coast in October of 2022. He joined the Coast Chorale as a singer in January of 2023.

Dan says, “I had no idea when I joined Coast Chorale in January that I would be your new
conductor for the fall season, but I am honored to follow in the distinguished footsteps of Allen
Henson and hope to bring new energy and excitement as we move the group forward. I am
very excited about returning to my choral roots and working with the Coast Chorale family.”

Dan has a degree in secondary music education from the Furman University School of Music, is
a United States Air Force veteran, and a 40-year business owner including his current business
as owner and concert piano technician at Macs Music Services. Dan has conducted both church
and high school choirs as well as church orchestras, high school bands and was Musical Director
of his own band – the Dan Mac Band in Alaska.

His conducting repertoire includes Bach cantatas, pieces by John Rutter, Vivaldi and excerpts
from Handel’s Messiah. In addition, he has directed musicals such as Fame, Annie, Oliver, You’re
a Good Man Charlie Brown, and Gold Rush Girls.

Coast Chorale is a community organization founded in 1992, made up of local singers,
supported by local musicians, and funded by local benefactors. Dan would like to invite all
interested singers to join him at the first rehearsal on August 22nd at the Diamondhead
Community Church, Diamondhead.