Nathaniel Fryml, Music and Artistic Director

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Nathaniel Fryml is the Director of Choral Activities at Amarillo College and Artistic Director of the Amarillo Master Chorale.  Born in Montreal, Quebec, of Czech and Dutch descent, Dr. Fryml was raised and educated in the United States, the first of his family to pursue a professional career in music.  He recently completed his terminal degree in choral music at the University of Southern California, with dissertation research focused on cantatas by Antonn Dvork. 

Prior to moving to Amarillo, Dr. Fryml served as assistant conductor of the Angeles Chorale and the Los Angeles Zimriyah Chorale.  His doctoral studies in music theory at USC were focused primarily on the Schenkerian method of analysis.  A published composer, Dr. Fryml enjoys writing both vocal and instrumental music and has had the privilege of studying with Morten Lauridsen and Mark Kilstofte. 

Holding degrees from Furman University (BM, Piano Performance and Music Theory) and the Cleveland Institute of Music (MM, Piano Performance), Dr. Fryml actively performs as a keyboard soloist and chamber musician.  He has taught piano both in private studio as well as in pre-college programs at Furman University and Presbyterian College and has worked as an accompanist at various institutions, including Clemson University, Presbyterian College, and Interlochen Center for the Arts.

Passionate about music ministry, Dr. Fryml has also served as a church music director, band leader, and keyboardist.  He and his wife Joanne are loving every moment of their daily adventure trying to keep up with their sons, Isaac,  Theodore and Joseph, and they feel very privileged to have joined the thriving arts community of Amarillo.

Preston Hitt, Assistant Conductor

Preston Hitt is excited to be the Assistant Conductor of the Amarillo Master Chorale. Preston moved to Texas in 2016 from St. Louis, Missouri, where he was a sought-after vocalist performing with numerous ensembles including the St. Louis Symphony Chorus and the Bach Society of St. Louis. Since moving to Texas, Preston has taught choir for 5 years at Tascosa High School and San Jacinto Christian Academy. Preston holds a Bachelors degree from Missouri Baptist University (Piano and Voice) as well as Masters degrees from Webster University (Choral Conducting) and West Texas A&M University (Teaching).

Preston is an accomplished vocalist, pianist, and conductor. He has performed as a soloist with the Bach Society of St. Louis, Missouri Baptist University, Webster University, and the Perryton Choral Society. Preston is also a founding member of the High Plains Choral Society here in Amarillo. As a pianist, Preston has been an accompanist throughout Amarillo playing for solo and ensemble students as well as the First Baptist Church of Amarillo Youth Choir. While at Missouri Baptist University, Preston won the Connie Powell Sacred Music Award for piano as well as received the opportunity to perform the Mozart k. 488 Piano Concerto. As a conductor, Preston has vast knowledge and experience with both choir and orchestra. He has conducted selections of Handels Messiah with the Missouri Baptist University Choir and Orchestra. As part of the culmination of his Masters degree at Webster, Preston conducted Ralph Vaughan Williams Toward the Unknown Region with the Christ Church Cathedral choir.

Preston also has a heart for ministry being heavily involved in the music ministry at First Baptist Church of Amarillo singing in the Sanctuary Choir and accompanying the Youth Choir. Preston loves Amarillo and considers it an honor and a privilege to continue serving the thriving arts community of Amarillo.

 

Dr. Jim Rauscher, Accompanist

Professor Jim Rauscher retired in 2016 as a member of the music faculty at Amarillo College, where he taught piano for 35 years, and also served as chairman of the Music Department from 1988 to 2013.  He has been extremely active in the Texas Panhandle as a solo recitalist, accompanist, teacher, and adjudicator.  Principal keyboardist for the Amarillo Symphony Orchestra since 1981, he has also been a frequent guest soloist with the orchestra, performing such works as Beethovens Choral Fantasy, Gershwins Rhapsody in Blue, Saint-Saens Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, Mendelssohns Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, and in Liszt/Busonis Rhapsodie Espagnol for Piano and Orchestra. He has also appeared as soloist with the West Texas State University Band, the Texas Tech University Orchestra, the Texas Tech University Symphonic Band, and the Amarillo Virtuosi of Chamber Music Amarillo. Dr. Rauscher showed an early affinity for music, beginning piano studies at the age of six in his hometown of Medford, Wisconsin.  He also studied the trumpet, entering college as a trumpet major.  He performed extensively on both the trumpet and the piano, receiving a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 1979 with majors in both instruments.  A Master of Music in Piano Performance and Literature degree followed in 1981 from the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign, and he received the Ph. D. in Fine Arts degree in 1991 from Texas Tech University, with emphasis in piano performance. He and his wife, Vanessa, recently retired as the Directors of Music and Liturgy at St. Mary's Catholic Cathedral in Amarillo, where he was the principal organist/pianist.