Artistic Director

Mark Hierholzer was born in San Antonio, Texas. He began studying piano at seven. Composing came soon afterward.

He continued to study piano performance at the University of Texas, San Antonio. He earned a Masters Degree in Piano Performance and Literature from the Eastman School of Music in New York.

Mark now resides in Fredericksburg, Texas with his wife, Rebekah and young daughter, Genevieve. He has four grown children, Aaron, Cassandra, Peter and Thomas, who reside in Austin, Texas.

Besides the Fredericksburg Chorale, Mark is Music Director and organist at Zion Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg. He is also the director of two German choirs, the Arion Men's choir, established in 1909, and the Hermannsons Mixed choir , established in 1934.

Mark's first love of music is improvisation and composition. He has over twenty published works. He regularly performs concerts of piano and organ improvisation at Musical Offerings.

Mark's Philosophy for the Chorale

The creation of new music has, by and large, been relegated to two arenas: pop-culture music and, learned or academic music. Pop-culture music plays an important, if not mindless and destructive, role in our society. Academic music is largely insignificant to anyone outside the institutions themselves.

I believe we are upholders of the great music of the past. I also want to dedicate myself to music that is truly life-giving. Life-giving music articulates hope, strength, endurance, a search for Truth, and a belief in what's beautiful and good. I want to actively and regularly perform new work that lives up to these ideals.

These kinds of endeavors are difficult. They require difficult manuscripts often loaded with errors and having to quickly learn music and words never heard before. Sometimes we're asked to sing something we might not like or agree with. This is carrying on the vibrant traditions that gave us Bach, Handel, Beethoven, and a wonderful host of other great composers. They had to face disgruntled audiences, confusion and even ridicule. I am proud that the Chorale enthusiastically learns new music by new composers, many right in our Chorale.

I believe we must sing with all of our voice, not in an affected way reminiscent of the last century of choral training so heavily influenced by the English choirs. Our primary endeavor is to glorify God through our singing and thus refresh our spirits.

My desire is for more than a good choir; I desire a beautiful community. The NEA (National Education Association) says that a great country deserves great art. I believe a great country creates great art. We are true patriots when we create great art. More importantly, we are actively a part of transforming what we love into something that deserves that love. It then becomes truly lovely.

Great art comes from individuals with a vision for Truth, beauty, and goodness. These ideals transform our community and thus transform art. I am thankful you for being a part of this endeavor with the Chorale.