Praised for his visionary musical leadership, captivating performances, and engaging personality, Marc-André Bougie is rapidly establishing himself as a highly sought-after conductor, composer, & educator in North America and abroad.
Among several leadership accomplishments, he is now in his 21st season as Music Director and Conductor of the Texarkana Regional Chorale and 18th year as Associate Professor of Music at Texarkana College. He was also the Founding Music Director & Conductor of the Texarkana Symphony Orchestra, which he directed for twelve seasons. He has conducted the New England Symphonic Ensemble (New York, NY), Arkansas Chamber Singers (Little Rock, AR), Orquesta Sinfónica de Falcón (Venezuela), Pleven Philharmonic (Bulgaria), Orchestra Cantelli (Italy), Orchestre des Sources (Canada), Shreveport Symphony, Shreveport Opera, Shreveport Chorale, and Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet – a sum of experiences which speaks to the versatility and adaptability of his conducting style. He made his Carnegie Hall conducting debut in 2010. He has collaborated with world-renowned performers such as Zuill Bailey, Tony DeSare, the Harlem String Quartet, Sharon Isbin, Sandi Patty, Bradley Welch, and many more.
Marc-André is married to soprano Candace Taylor with whom he collaborates as composer, pianist, & conductor. In 2015 they worked on an album featuring one of their new compositions, Ave Maria. He has won the 2001 MTNA National Composition Competition and holds a master’s degree in Orchestra Conducting from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Marc-André was awarded the Texarkana College 2016 Endowed Chair of Teaching Excellence, and received a NISOD Excellence Awards in May 2017 on behalf of Texarkana College. He conducted the New York premiere of his Requiem in 2022, after which he was given the title of Honorary Composer/Conductor for Mid-America Productions. He was also National Finalist for the 2021 & 2023 American Prize – Choral Composition Division for his Requiem, Mass of St. John Vianney, & Music. Recent original work premieres include his Mass of St. John Vianney in August of 2022, Music with poetry by Anne Porter with the TTCCDA Choir at TMEA in San Antonio in February 2023, and Mass of Sts. Peter & Paul in June 2023. In March 2024, he conducted the New York premiere of his new Magnificat at Carnegie Hall. Upcoming engagements include the premiere of his Te Deum in April 2025 and a return engagement with Mid-America Productions at Carnegie Hall in 2026 with the New York premiere of his Stabat Mater.
His involvement in the advancement of music in the areas of the conducting profession and education is reflected through his work with organizations dedicated to these disciplines. Among others, Marc has been a board member for the International Conductors’ Guild, an international organization dedicated to the advancement of the conducting profession, and he was the co-chair of the 2018 Guild Conference in Ft. Worth, TX. He is also the Choral Coordinator (2024) & upcoming President (2025) for the Texas Two-Year College Choral Directors Association. Marc is also on the Arts in Education Artist Roster for the state of Arkansas.
In the realm of church music, Marc has been Director of Sacred Music at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Texarkana, TX since 2009, as well as Choir Director at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Shreveport, LA since 2003. He has been involved with Diocesan musical activities in both the Dioceses of Tyler & Shreveport for many years. He has also been guest clinician for the workshop “30 Anthems Everyone Should Know” with Dr. Tim Sharp in Dallas in November 2023.
In his spare time, Marc-André enjoys cooking, travelling, and spending time with his wife and daughter, Miriam Taylor Bougie.
Marc-André’s music is published and distributed by J & B Music Sales, an Arkansas-based company specializing in choral music since 1978. Publications can be explored and purchased at www.jandbmusicsales.com.