The snowy weather outside indicated that December had arrived, and the beautiful sounds of Christmas worship music at the Songs of the Season concerts on Dec. 2 and 4 ushered in the Advent season for North Central University.
Following the retirement of Larry Bach, former Dean of the College of Fine Arts (COFA) last spring, the 40+ year tradition of this beautiful event changed in 2022 as 6’4” Alessio Tranchell, M.S., new Assistant Professor of Music, made his debut as musical director.
Tranchell is new to the North Central community but not to Minnesota. He and his wife, Caroline Tranchell, moved here in 2017. He had been teaching in adjunct roles at Crown College, University of Northwestern – St. Paul, and St. Cloud State University when a post on a job board caught his attention.
“I found North Central sort of by chance,” Tranchell said. “Last spring, I was perusing the job boards of different schools in the area and saw a position that included voice lessons, conducting, and music history as part of the package—all tailored to my skillset and what I’ve been working toward.”
Although Tranchell had heard of North Central, he was unfamiliar with the school or its urban campus. He decided to step out in faith and apply for the job. Throughout the hiring process, Tranchell was captivated by the vision and talent of the COFA. “They sold me on the school, what’s going on here, and what the future holds [here],” he said.
Italian in name only
Tranchell’s preparation for his role and passion for music extends back to his childhood. “My parents were church planters growing up,” Tranchell said. Although he is not Italian, he was named Alessio when he was born in Milan, Italy, while his parents worked with a church there. He said living in several different countries throughout Eastern Europe throughout his childhood gave him a unique and diverse perspective on what faith can mean to different cultures and different communities.
His family returned to the United States when he was 13 and settled in Massachusetts. After graduating from public high school, Tranchell pursued higher education in a Christian environment, earning his undergraduate degree in voice performance and communication arts from Gordon College.
“I felt a calling to teach and to be part of choirs musically,” Tranchell said, “so that framed where I went for my master’s degree. I went to Houghton College, another private Christian school about two hours south of Buffalo, New York. It was kind of in the middle of nowhere, so it was a good place to do master’s work because I had no distractions! I did my master’s degree in voice performance and choral conducting. I loved my time there, digging into choral music and choral music as a worship medium and what that can mean for students.”
Pursuing his passion has given Tranchell great joy in his career. “I just love teaching music,” he said. “I feel it’s my calling and what I’m most passionate about. I love helping students grow to be well-rounded musicians for whatever God has planned for them in the future.”
New shoes
Tranchell feels well prepared for his new North Central role but knows he has a strong tradition to uphold. “It is intimidating following someone like Larry Bach, who has built an incredible program and an incredible music department—and the whole College of Fine Arts over the last 42 years,” he reflected. “It’s a joy to continue [Larry’s] work, but they certainly are big shoes to fill—even for someone who wears a size 12!”
What sold Tranchell on North Central was something that Vinnie Zarletti, D.W.D. Dean of the College of Fine Arts, said in his employment interview. “He said they’re not looking for someone who can fill Larry’s shoes; they’re looking for a new pair of shoes.”
Zarletti told Tranchell that Bach’s shoes were great shoes and beloved those shoes, but rather than try to fill those shoes, Tranchell’s opportunity is to bring a new perspective—and a new pair of shoes—to what North Central has been doing.
Rich worship experiences
One perspective Tranchell brings is a history of rich worship experiences he has had as part of a choir, whether conducting or singing. “I can just remember certain concerts or moments where I felt like the Lord was there,” he reflected, “and He was really present while I was in a community of believers, singing with our hearts in the right place.”
Tranchell sees that essence as built into North Central’s community. “The heart is there, the energy is there,” he said, “and now we just have to focus that into the choral medium. And the sky’s the limit! I’m excited for the students to grow and learn with me that choir and a choral community can be a rich, meaningful worship experience.”
As Tranchell took command of the podium for his North Central debut at Songs of the Season, he was eager to present a concert that included both the familiar and new.
Building on tradition
Since I started my undergraduate degree, I have been part of many different schools’ Christmas concerts,” he reflected. “They’ve all been at Christian institutions, and everybody has a different flavor of how they celebrate Christmas and ring in the season with their community. I love that North Central continues to ring in the season of Christmas together as a community.
“Songs of the Season was a thrill, an absolute joy to prepare. The students did not know what my concerts looked like, how they flowed, or what the music would be like, but they got on board right away! I’m so grateful for their trust in my vision for the concerts.”
Tranchell also wanted to ensure that the audience was involved in the concert and built audience participation into the program. “And they stepped up to the plate!” he exclaimed. “One of my favorite moments of each concert was when I turned around and asked everybody to stand up, and they sang with the choir. Joining [with the audience] in those carols was a beautiful way [for me] to join the North Central community and feel part of it.”
Alessio Tranchell knows he’s brought the right shoes for the job. “The feedback from the concert has been fantastic.” He said. “I felt warmly welcomed, and as I said before, I’m not here to fill Larry’s shoes but to continue his tradition—an incredible program—that I’m so privileged to be a part of.”
Meet Alessio Tranchell!
