Markus Utz never wondered what he would one day become. Even as a young boy he already listened intently to the thunder of the organ and the singing of the church choir. As a school pupil, he already conducted his own choir and took on a post as organ player – the first building blocks in a professional career in which church music remained the central element: "Life without music is an error." Markus Utz has been Professor of Choral Conducting at the Zurich University of the Arts since January 2009.

Released from military service due to his high talent, Utz, who was born in the Allgäu in 1972, left school and went to study church music in Detmold. "At the same time, I started to study organ as my major as well as taking the choirmaster class." An experience that he still benefits from today: As a sought-after international conductor, he not only heads choirs but also occasionally large orchestras as well. Still as a student, he already founded the well-respected, professional vocal group "ensemble cantissimo", which is dedicated to old and new a-cappella music: "We track down interesting composers and record their repertoire on CDs."

While training, Markus Utz was drawn to Stockholm in 1998. "In international terms, Sweden is the choral country per se. Choir singing is a social and cultural event in which the population is deeply rooted," enthuses the father of three. A one-year scholarship from the DAAD enabled him to complete a stay at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm. 
Markus Utz very nearly ended up staying in the North. The scholarship was extended once and he subsequently worked as a lecturer at Uppsala University. In 2000, the organist and choirmaster, who holds multiple awards, won the Scholarship of the Scandinavian Bach Academy.

And he continues to use his many contacts with Scandinavia – for example, to encourage Scandinavian musicians to come and give concerts in Germany.