Dr. William Eichorn has been the Director of the San Diego Choral Arts Ensemble since 1996, at which time he founded SDCAE as a successor organization to The Escondido Chorale.

Dr. Eichorn also serves as Minister of Music and the Arts for Saint Bartholomew's Episcopal Church in Poway since 1985.

In 2002 he received a Doctorate in Worship Studies (Theology) from The Institute for Worship Studies in Florida.

He also has a Bachelor's Degree in Music from Illinois Wesleyan University and a Master's Degree in Music from Northwestern University.

Dr. Eichorn previously served as the music minister at Trinity Methodist Church in Wilmette, Illinois before becoming a solo artist at the New York City Opera. He then sang for many opera companies and performed concerts around the country.

He was the first prize winner in Metropolitan Opera competitions in Chicago and Philadelphia, as well as first place at the Francisco Vinas Vocal Competition in Barcelona, Spain.

Since coming to San Diego, he has sung for the San Diego Chamber Orchestra, San Diego Master Chorale, St. James Concert Series, La Jolla Presbyterian Church Concert Series, and many other venues.

He is widely sought as a voice teacher and worship, vocal, and choral workshop leader.

Live performance of unique high quality choral music is the primary goal of the 24 member San Diego Choral Arts Ensemble led by Dr. Eichorn.

This ambitious goal has been realized by way of many concerts in San Diego, as well as on five biennial tours of major venues in Europe.

Most recently, in 2003, the singers traveled to the Czech Republic, Austria, Germany and Italy; highlighted by performing in Venice at Basilica San Marco.

In July 2005, the group will be touring England and Ireland with concerts scheduled at the cathedrals of York, Durham and Coventry, as well as Christ Church in Dublin.

Dr. Eichorn said: "These wonderfully talented SDCAE singers have been specially selected by audition to accomplish the unique blend of voices that makes choral music soar. It is a thrill to return to Europe, where I studied and made my debut, with such a group. Inspired choral music has always been my first love."