While the Sippican Choral Society continues to celebrate its 50th anniversary, a new music director has been named, Dr. Tianxu Zhou.

“He comes to us with a wealth of experience directing many choral groups over many years, and we are extremely excited that he has accepted our offer,” said chorus President Bruce Breamer.

The search for a new director attracted several qualified candidates, Breamer said.

Zhou takes the baton from Brian Roderick, who retired this past spring after 12 years of leading the chorus.

Originally from Beijing, Zhou is a collegiate vocal professor and international performer throughout North America, Asia and Europe. As a faculty member at UMass Dartmouth, he conducts the chamber choir and the university chorus. He is an alumnus and former faculty member of the prestigious China Central Conservatory in Beijing and Shenandoah Conservatory in Virginia.

In addition to the vocal ensembles, Zhou’s conducting credits include conductor for the Rhode Island College Mens’ Chorus, director of the Loudoun Chorale as well as the conductor of the Beijing Community Choir.  Zhou is a sought after clinician and guest conductor where he has directed the Tri-County Choral Festival in Southeastern Massachusetts and the South East Massachusetts MMEA District Junior Chorus.

Recent choral performances include collaborations with the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra of Handel’s Messiah and with Grammy award winning artist Paul Winter of his composition Missa Gaia. In spring of 2015, Zhou led the UMass Dartmouth Choral Ensemble on its first international performance tour in Italy. This coming year, Zhou’s presentation on Chinese chorale repertoire and pronunciation will be featured at the American Choral Directors Association Eastern Division Conference in Boston.

As a singer, Zhou was featured in concerts and operatic productions both in America and abroad throughout China, Japan and Europe.  He performed with many opera companies such as the Washington National Opera, where he shared the stage with many world-renowned artists.  He has also performed as a soloist with many orchestras including the National Symphony Orchestra, Maryland Symphony and Washington Chorus.

Zhou, who prefers to be called “Tian,” begins his duties this summer and will prepare the chorus for its 50th annual Christmas Concerts this coming December. Rehearsals begin on Monday, Sept. 14.