Utah State University graduate Christopher Machado has been named as the new artistic director of the Cache Children’s Choir, replacing outgoing director Jason Putnam.
LOGAN – The Board of Directors of the Cache Children’s Choir (CCC) has named Christopher Machado as the organization’s new artistic director.
Machado is also the director of choral ensembles at Logan High School. He succeeds Jason Putnam as director of the CCC choral group. Putnam was appointed to that position in 2020.
“We are fortunate to have hired a new artistic director that is familiar with the choir to ensure a smooth transition,” explains Dr. Heather Jensen, president of the CCC board of directors.
“While we will miss Jason Putnam as he moves out of Cache Valley,” she adds, “we are looking forward to working with Christopher Machado and the great things in store for the choir under his leadership.”
In addition to his duties at Logan High, Machado is also director of the Towne Singers here in Logan as well as the founder and conductor of Soggiorno Camerata, a chamber choir specializing in early music.
As part of his graduate studies at Utah State University, Machado served as director of the CCC’s fourth- and fifth-grade choral choirs in the fall of 2022.
“Like those that preceded him, Chris is an outstanding musician, teacher, singer and leader,” according to Dr. Craig Jessop, the head of the hiring committee who selected Machado.
“We are delighted and excited for Chris to begin his tenure as CCC artistic director. We feel fortunate to have found an individual of his stature and talent.”
The Cache Children’s Choir is a local non-profit organization that prepares youngsters for a lifetime of singing by providing quality music training. CCC offers children ranging in ages from pre-school to teenage the opportunity to participate in five separate choral groups.
A native of Boise, ID, Machado holds a bachelor of music degree from Brigham Young University and a master of music degree from USU.
He is a member of the American Choral Directors Association and the National Association for Music Educators.
Machado also sings professionally with local groups “Brevitas” and “Sound of Ages.”
“Choir matters more today than ever as a place to build community, belonging, selflessness, dedication and hard work,” Machado said after his appointment as artistic director of the CCC.
“I can’t wait to see what amazing things these children will do.”
Putnam will join the CCC staff that includes choir directors Deandra Harps, Erika Andrus, Ewa Wilczynski, Leslie Timmons and Meghan Hatfield, plus administrative director Jan Jenkins.