William Griffel
Purdue Musical Organizations Director
Varsity Glee Club Director
University Choir Director
wgriffel@purdue.edu
William E. Griffel is thrilled to be starting another year as the Director of Purdue Musical Organizations at Purdue University. William directs the internationally recognized Purdue Varsity Glee Club and the University Choir as a part of the stable of ensembles offered at Purdue Musical Organizations. Prior to this appointment, William was the Visual and Performing Arts Chairman and Director of Choral Music at Franklin Central High School in Indianapolis, IN. William has traveled internationally both as a director and as a performer. While at Franklin Central, William was also an assistant football coach for six years with the Franklin Central Varsity Football program.
As a performer, William has sung with many of the world’s finest concert and operatic programs. He has performed with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Civic Opera of Chicago, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Grant Park Symphony Orchestra, Chatauqua Opera, Indianapolis Opera, Cathedral Singers, Oriana Singers, Blue Skies Vocal Jazz Ensemble and the Caroling Party.
His voice can be heard on many commercial recordings by some of the most recognizable publishing companies in the United States such as Warner Brothers, GIA Publications, Hal Leonard Publications, G. Shirmer and Hinshaw Press.
William is also an avid barbershopper. He was a member of the Northbrook New Tradition Chorus who won the 2001 International Chorus Championship. He has also won championships as a quartet member in both the Illinois District (Chicago Swing - 2000) and Cardinal District (The Chase - 2001, International Qualifier). William has also sung with the Kentucky Vocal Union Barbershop Chorus who qualified as the International Chorus representative for the Cardinal District at the Barbershop Harmony Society’s International Contest in 2008 and 2009.
William received his bachelor’s degrees in music education and vocal performance from Viterbo University in LaCrosse, WI in 1991. He went on to receive a master’s degree in vocal performance in 1994 and a performance certificate in vocal performance in 1996 from DePaul University in Chicago, IL.
William is sought after annually as an adjudicator, clinician and vocal coach for high school programs across the United States.
William and his lovely wife Natalie have two children, William and Josephine. They reside in Lafayette, IN.
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