David Hagen, Artistic Director/Conductor

David Hagen became artistic director and conductor of the Alaska Chamber Singers (ACS) in 1995, succeeding founder and artistic director Elvera Voth. He has conducted the ACS in numerous major works, including Bach's Mass  in B minor, Magnificat, Christmas  Oratorio and many motets and cantatas; Bernstein's Chichester  Psalms;  Bloch’s Sacred  Service;  Duruflé’s Requiem;  Faure's Requiem;  Haydn's The  Creation;  Martin’s Mass  for Double Choir;  Mozart's Great  Mass in C and Requiem;  and Poulenc's Gloria.  He led a performance of Britten's monumental War  Requiem,  a joint production with the Anchorage Concert Chorus, Alaska Chamber Singers and Alaska Children's Choir.  

Hagen  served as Chorus Master with Anchorage Opera for several seasons, preparing such works as Carmen, Die  Fledermaus, Romeo  et Juliette and Sweeney  Todd.  From 1990 to 1994, he served as general director of the Anchorage Festival of Music. He was founder and music director of "AVE", a small vocal ensemble that performed to much acclaim in Anchorage in the 1990's. 

Hagen  recently retired from the Anchorage School District, where he served as an instrumental music teacher, Music Curriculum Coordinator for two years, and helped organize district music festivals. His many compositions for beginning band are regularly heard at  local band festivals. Hagen served for many years as choir director at a number of local churches.

Having  grown up in Anchorage, Hagen received his earliest musical training in the Anchorage School District, performing in such ensembles as the Robert Service High School Symphonic Band and the Anchorage Youth Symphony.  He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from George  Fox University and a Master of Music degree in choral conducting from the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music. He is a recipient of the Anchorage Mayor's Arts Award for Outstanding Individual Artist. In 2025 he was honored by the Alaska  Legislature for his "...extraordinary contributions to the musical and cultural life of Anchorage and the state of Alaska.”