McElrath named to helm of Coast Chorale

Following the retirement of Allen Henson from the helm of Coast Chorale, the organization’s Board of Directors recently announced the appointment of Dan McElrath as their new artistic director.

McElrath 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.

“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,” said McElrath. “I am very excited about returning to my choral roots and working with the Coast Chorale family.”

McElrath has a degree in secondary music education from the Furman University School of Music. He is a United States Air Force veteran and a forty-year business owner, including his current business as owner and concert piano technician at Macs Music Services. McElrath has conducted both church and high school choirs, as well as church orchestras and 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 that is made up of local singers, supported by local musicians and funded by local benefactors. For more information, McElrath can be reached at macsmusicsvs@gmail.com.