An accomplished conductor, composer, organist, and nationally respected leader in sacred music and young voices, Paul French has dedicated more than four decades to enriching Catholic liturgical music and nurturing generations of singers.
Since 2001, he has served as Music Director at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Chicago, where he leads a flourishing choral program involving nearly 200 children and adult singers. He previously served for thirteen seasons as Music Director of the acclaimed William Ferris Chorale, a professional choral ensemble specializing in contemporary a cappella repertoire.
Mr. French studied composition, Gregorian chant, conducting, and organ at St. John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota; Northwestern University; and the Pontificio Istituto di Musica Sacra in Rome. A prolific composer, he has written more than 200 instrumental and choral works for children's and adult choirs, solo voice, organ, brass, and orchestra. He has also served on the faculty of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians' Choir Director Institutes and as the longtime Director of Choral Recordings for World Library Publications.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to sacred music and pastoral ministry, Mr. French was named 2024 Musician of the Year by the National Association of Pastoral Musicians (NPM). This prestigious national honor recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and made significant contributions to the role of music in the life of the Church.
As President of the American Federation Pueri Cantores, Mr. French is deeply committed to fostering musical excellence and strengthening the faith of young Catholics through sacred choral music. He has served as a guest conductor and clinician for Pueri Cantores Festivals across the United States for more than two decades and is editor of the Pueri Cantores Choral Series, a collection of distinguished sacred choral literature for youth choirs published by GIA Publications.
Through his work as a conductor, composer, educator, and advocate for sacred music, Paul French continues to inspire singers of all ages and advance the Church's rich musical tradition.
