Vocal and Choral Collaborator Reviews

I’ve had the privilege of working with Dave McLellan a number of times, and I can say that he is the perfect collaborator.  Dave’s talent as a guitarist is matched by his friendly, helpful, knowledgeable, and thoughtful character.  He possesses a wide and varied repertoire; plays with precision, expressivity, and extreme musicality; and writes informative and intelligent program notes.  Dave McLellan is the consummate professional musician, and working with him is a true pleasure.  I look forward to our next collaboration.

 

Kevin Leong, Artistic Director, Concord Chorus and Jameson Singers

Cambridge, MA

I had the great pleasure of working with guitarist Dave McLellan in the summers of 2019 and 2022 on a series of joint choral-guitar performances, and enjoyed every minute of it. Had the global pandemic not occurred, I would have invited him back to work with us every year.  

 

Dave gave thoughtful, beautifully refined performances, and his selections helped to round out the artistic thread of the program. It was a real pleasure working with Dave in planning and in rehearsal; he is a consummate professional, and his flexibility and willingness to adjust to accommodate the group’s needs was exemplary. Dave’s warmth of spirit and generosity come through in his artistic work, and I look forward to working with him again.

 

Luca Antonucci

Conductor, Manchester Symphony Orchestra, Lincoln-Sudbury Civic Orchestra, Boston Summer Singers

Working with Dave McLellan is a privilege each and every time. Dave is always prepared, not just on his part but on all aspects of the music. He works well with the students, offering feedback, compliments and conversation to all. He truly goes above and beyond every time. We have collaborated twice in musical theater pit orchestras and three times now with my choirs.

 

He is a versatile musician who masters every style he is asked to play in. He played electric rock guitar for our production of School of Rock and then classical guitar and harp parts for The Sound of Music, and wIth my choirs we have collaborated on works by Mario Castelnuovo Tedesco, Disney movie arrangements and Scottish ballad arrangments for SATB and guitar

 

His care not just for the music but the people he's working with enhances all of our performances and I look forward to working with him more in the years to come. 

 

Andrew Milne (he/him)

Choral Director - Auburn High School

Associate Conductor of Youth Choruses - Handel and Haydn Society

andrew.milnemusic@gmail.com 

Dave McLellan is a fantastic musician to work with.  He approaches every piece with musical accuracy while maintaining a high level of sensitivity to dynamics, expressiveness, and passion, all while keeping a great sense of humor that puts his collaborators at ease.  He carefully does his research which enables him to portray the intentions of the composer and adhere to the proper performance practice rules of the musical period.  I strongly recommend that you take any and every opportunity to work with Dave on a musical project, big or small - you won't regret it!

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Cathy Meyer, former Minister of Music, Memorial Congregational Church, Sudbury, MA.

Director of Music, South Church, Andover, MA

Dave McLellan is a fantastic musician to work with.  He approaches every piece with musical accuracy while maintaining a high level of sensitivity to dynamics, expressiveness, and passion, all while keeping a great sense of humor that puts his collaborators at ease.  He carefully does his research which enables him to portray the intentions of the composer and adhere to the proper performance practice rules of the musical period.  I strongly recommend that you take any and every opportunity to work with Dave on a musical project, big or small - you won't regret it!

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Cathy Meyer, former Minister of Music, Memorial Congregational Church, Sudbury, MA.

Director of Music, South Church, Andover, MA

`As a vocalist, I collaborated with Dave on several creative voice & guitar programs in various venues throughout New England.  Dave is a consummate collaborator and artistic partner on so many levels, achieving excellence in musicianship and artistry.  His passion for the intimate communication of music and art is the fuel that drives his projects which are always received by audiences with such enthusiasm and openness.

 

Rebekah Alexander, adjunct professor of voice, Belmont University, freelance performance artist

Dave McLellan is a committed musician and collaborator, and is a joy to work with.  Our recital projects throughout New England, including our Symphonic Relief For Haiti concert, were a model of artistic communication with one another and the audience. I always learn from this wonderful artist when I work with him!

 

-Rebecca Renfro Grimes

Associate Professor of Voice and Director of Opera

Sam Houston State University