For nearly three decades, Gary P. Garletts has garnered a reputation of excellence through musical endeavors he has led across Pennsylvania.  Now in his ninth year as Artistic Director of the Choral Society, he continues to bring programming that challenges, educates and entertains both audiences and choristers alike.  Under his direction, the Society has sung major works by Bach, Brahms, Britten, Clausen, Handel, Jenkins, Mozart, Rheinberger, Rutter, Saint-Saens, Schubert, and Thompson, plus a wide variety of shorter works drawn from the vast repertoire of choral literature.

Mr. Garletts is also Director of Music/Organist at Ardmore Presbyterian Church, on Philadelphia’s Main Line.  There he leads a five-choir program and administered a complete rebuilding of the church’s 3,500-pipe sanctuary organ.  To mark the church's centennial year (2007), he led its chancel choir (augmented by Choral Society members) on a tour of Scotland and northern England.  Also in observance of the anniversary, he recently completed “My Top 100 Organ Pieces”, a year-long series of concert-level preludes and postludes. Additionally, Mr. Garletts serves as staff accompanist for the School of Music at West Chester University.

Mr. Garletts dedicated the early portion of his career to his native Fayette County.  There he directed innovative programs for Trinity Presbyterian Church and the Greater Uniontown Chorale, and did extensive studio teaching.  From 1994 to 1999, he led a comprehensive music ministry at First Presbyterian Church in historic downtown Lancaster.

Mr. Garletts earned music degrees at Oberlin College and Duquesne University, and received awards for excellence from both institutions.  His mentors have included conductors Daniel Moe and Sandra Willetts, organists Haskell Thomson and Ann Labounsky and pianists Frances Walker and the late Katherine Keighley.  An Associate of the American Guild of Organists, he has served the Guild locally and regionally in various capacities.

Mr. Garletts resides in Havertown with his wife, Twila and son, Nathan.