We are thrilled to announce that Nate Widelitz has been appointed as the new Artistic Director of the California Bach Society.
Nate Widelitz
Nate brings to CBS a deep passion for early music, a collaborative spirit, and an artistic sensibility grounded in both scholarship and performance. His values resonate fully with CBS’s long-standing identity—where our core focus on Baroque repertoire blends with adventures in Renaissance, Romantic, and modern works, brought to life with care and curiosity.
Before joining CBS, Nate served as the Associate Director of Choral Activities and Visiting Instructor of Choral Music Education at Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, where he directed both the Collegiate Chorale and Treble Choir. He is also the Founding Director of the Five Cities Baroque Foundation & Festival, which he launched to create immersive early music experiences that unite musicians and audiences in regional communities.
His previous appointments include Assistant Conductor of both the Yale Glee Club and the Pacific Chorale, along with extensive performing and educational work with the Los Angeles Master Chorale, where he sang as both a soloist and core ensemble member in partnership with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
Nate holds degrees in Choral Conducting from Yale University (MM) and the University of Southern California (BM, Vocal Arts, summa cum laude), and he was a Fulbright Scholar at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. He is currently completing his Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting at Yale and is expected to receive the degree in October of this year.
We are proud to welcome Nate to the CBS family. His appointment affirms our commitment to artistic excellence and thoughtful programming—and opens a new chapter in our shared musical journey.
We look forward to introducing you to Nate’s leadership in the 2025–2026 season and beyond.
As we look forward, we also extend our heartfelt thanks to the exceptional artists who guided us through this past season.
We are deeply grateful to Dr. Magen Solomon, our interim Artistic Director for the 2024–2025 season, and to Derek Tam, guest conductor for our December concert set, for their leadership, encouragement, and artistic integrity during this important year of change. Their care, creativity, and spirit of collaboration shaped a season of depth and continuity, helping CBS navigate a time of transition with grace and generosity.
An innovative teacher, conductor, and champion of new music, Dr. Solomon brought decades of expertise in early and contemporary repertoire to CBS. Her extensive experience with leading ensembles across the country—and her lifelong dedication to engaging audiences, performers, and composers—brought wisdom, warmth, and a steady artistic hand to CBS during this interim period.
Derek Tam, praised for his deft conducting and thoughtful musicianship, brought elegance and insight to our December performances. As a key figure in the Bay Area early music scene, his presence helped reinforce CBS’s place within a thriving community of historically informed performance.
With gratitude, we thank them both for helping CBS move forward with confidence and clarity.