Palatine Children's Chorus Artistic Director

 

Ron Korbitz holds both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in music education from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago. He is currently on faculty at Hill Middle School in Naperville, where he directs three curricular grade level choirs, Coro Cambiara-changing voice ensemble, Una Voce-treble ensemble, teaches general music, world music, and co-directs the annual school musical. He is also the Assistant Director for the Metea Valley High School Madrigal Show. Mr. Korbitz has been on faculty at VanderCook College of Music since 2006, he currently teaches Methods of Teaching Children’s Choir and serves as a graduate research advisor. Ron has also taught Methods of General Music and presented numerous classes for the Music Education Center of America program at VanderCook. Prior to his current positions, Ron taught K-5 general music and chorus for twenty-two years, first in Palos District 117 and then at Brookdale Elementary in Naperville.  He was the Assistant Conductor for Spirito Singers Ragazze Choir from 2016-2021. Ron also worked for four years with Anima Young Singers-Glen Ellyn Children’s Chorus. During his tenure, the group received the Chorus America Award for Outstanding Programming and his students performed with Lyric Opera, The Grant Park Music Festival and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He has been a guest conductor, presenter and adjudicator for clinics, competitions and workshops throughout Illinois. His groups have been invited to perform at the 2015 and 2017 Illinois Music Educators Conference and IL-ACDA’s inaugural “Voices, Chicago.” Ron is a member of ILMEA and ACDA, where he served as Illinois Repertoire and Resources Chair for both elementary and middle school choirs.

​

     Ron performs regularly as a classical guitarist with his wife, soprano Angela Presutti. They have appeared together on numerous concert series throughout the Midwest and on Dame Myra Hess, CSO Radiothon, and Live from Studio One broadcasts on Classical 98.7 WFMT. 

​

     Mr. Korbitz has been honored by the International Bluegrass Music Association for his lessons that utilize bluegrass and fiddle tunes. He has been featured in NAfME’s “Teaching Music” magazine for his innovative approaches to teaching music literacy. He was also selected for inclusion in “Who’s Who among American Teachers.” 

​

     Ron’s writing credits include the IL-ACDA journal “The Podium,” The ASTA Journal, and “Mr. Everybody’s Recorder Book” published by Myles Music.

​

Mr. Korbitz is excited to be working with the Palatine Children's Chorus!