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Mexican conductor and organist Dr. David Castillo Gocher is the Founder and Artistic Director of Ensemble con Fuoco, a professional vocal ensemble dedicated to chamber choral music spanning all periods and styles. Currently in residence at St. Catharine of Siena in Cincinnati, Ensemble con Fuoco has recently presented works such as Brahms’, Duruflé’s, and Fauré’s Requiem, Handel’s Dixit Dominus, MacMillan’s Cantos Sagrados, and a program exploring contemporary and early choral music.

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In Cincinnati, David serves as Director of Liturgical Music of the Family of the Most Holy Eucharist, overseeing the music for five west-side parishes.

 

Before his time in Cincinnati, David was Music Director at First United Methodist Church of Evanston, where he led the festival choir in symphonic choral works, including Mozart’s Requiem, Handel’s Messiah, Fauré’s Requiem, Honegger’s King David, and Beethoven’s Mass in C. In Chicago, he was also active as a collaborative pianist, organist, and harpsichordist, performing with professional, amateur, and university ensembles.

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As an organist, David has performed extensively across the United States and Mexico, including his Chicago Symphony Center debut in Fauré’s Requiem under Simon Carrington. He has held music director and organist positions in Massachusetts and Texas and has collaborated with musicians in his home country, Mexico.

 

David earned a Doctor of Musical Arts in Conducting from Northwestern University, studying with Dr. Robert Harris and Dr. Donald Nally. His research explored the role of Liberation Theology in the choral and organ works of James MacMillan. He holds a Master’s in Sacred Music and Choral Conducting from Boston University, where he conducted the Concert Choir, accompanied the Women’s Choir, and served as a student organist. His undergraduate studies in music education were completed magna cum laude at Texas Christian University.

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A passionate supporter of Cincinnati’s arts and nonprofit sector, David serves on the board of the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra and the board of Keep Cincinnati Beautiful. He is also a grant reviewer for Cincinnati ArtsWave and previously served on the advisory council of the Cincinnati Boychoir.