CONDUCTORS FOR THE ASO 2012 SEASON CONCERTS

Dr. Robert Culver
Philharmonic Orchestra

Robert Culver is a strings specialist who has been a key figure in the development of school orchestra programs throughout the United States. As one of the most sought-after consultants, clinicians and conductors in the field of music education, Professor Culver has been invited to forty-seven states and twelve countries. He has given sessions at international workshops in Graz, Lausanne, Lyon and Honolulu. His video and manual, The Master Teacher Profile, are widely used in school districts and teacher training institutes. As a conductor he has been active in 36 all-state orchestra festivals and in many more regional activities.

Countries that have asked for feasibility studies, program evaluations and staff development activities include Australia, Israel, Italy, Switzerland, Canada and many states within the United States.

He served on the faculties of the National String Workshop in Madison from 1984 to 1990 and the International String Workshop since 1980. He is a former violist with the Rochester Philharmonic, the Detroit Symphony and the Hughes Quartet of Ohio State University. Prior to joining the faculty, Mr. Culver was string specialist in the Corvallis (Oregon) public schools, orchestra director in the Springfield and Salem (Oregon) public schools, member of the Ohio State University faculty and conductor of youth orchestras in conjunction with the Columbus Symphony.

Mr. Culver is past president of the American String Teachers Association, Artistic Director of the Banff Festivals of Youth Orchestras and founder-director of the American String Workshops.

Robert Moody
Symphonic Orchestra

Robert Moody has had the honor of serving as Music Director for the Winston-Salem Symphony (North Carolina) since 2005, Artistic Director for Arizona Musicfest since 2007, and Music Director for the Portland Symphony Orchestra (Maine), since 2008.

Moody is the fourth Music Director in The Winston-Salem Symphony's 64 year history. Unprecedented success has been the hallmark of this tenure, including the creation of Pops, "Kicked-Back Classics," Discovery, Side-by-Side, and Handel's Messiah concert series. Under his tenure the orchestra has also taken the Winston-Salem Youth Orchestras program completely under its umbrella, hired a full-time Assistant Conductor, and performed a first ever joint Classics concert with the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra. These performances of R. Strauss' Ein Heldenleben were strongly praised by critics, audience, and orchestra alike. The WSS is quickly becoming one of the real "gem" regional orchestras in the country; which led the League of American Orchestras immediate past President Henry Fogel to pronounce the Winston-Salem Symphony "one of the very healthiest orchestras" he has visited in his three-year tenure leading A.S.O.L.

The Portland Symphony announced on 30 May 2007 the appointment of Robert Moody as Music Director/Conductor starting with the 2008/2009 season. Moody was the unanimous choice for the position, and has just completed his second electrifying season.  Highlights with The PSO have included multiple sold-out performances, a fully revamped "Magic of Christmas" (eleven performances in 2009), and a gala concert with Renee Fleming.  The 2009/2010 concert season ended with performances of Mahler Symphony No. 2, led by Maestro Moody (without score) and universally praised as a crowning artistic achievement for the 85 year old orchestra.

Additionally, Moody serves as Artistic Director of Arizona Musicfest, the nation's premiere winter destination music festival, held in north Scottsdale, Carefee, Cave-Creek, and through the Arizona Desert Foothills region. The Musicfest Festival Orchestra consists of members of some of the nation's top orchestras (Chicago, Boston, Detroit, National Symphonies, The Cleveland and Metropolitan Opera Orchestras, and many more). Maestro Moody leads this orchestra in four orchestral concert programs each February. Highlights of the 2010 season included performances of Respighi Pines of Rome, Berlioz Symphonie fantastique, and four works of Composer-in-Residence Mason Bates.  2011 is AZMusicfest 20th Anniversary, and will feature a world premiere of Bates, and the unparalleled Beethoven Symphony No. 9.

Moody served as Associate, then Resident Conductor of The Phoenix Symphony (AZ) from 1998 through 2006. There he conducted a wide variety of concerts, including Classics, Chamber, Pops, Family, Handel's Messiah, and New Year's Eve gala. His casual manner and ability to speak with ease from the podium helped novices and enthusiasts alike gain a greater appreciation for orchestral music. Moody also founded The Phoenix Symphony Chorus, and for seven years was Music Director of the Phoenix Symphony Youth Orchestra.

Prior to Phoenix, Maestro Moody served as Associate Conductor for the Evansville (IN) Philharmonic Orchestra, Music Director (and founder) of the Evansville Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, conductor for the Interschool Orchestras of New York (in Manhattan), and apprentice conductor for the Landestheater Opera House in Linz, Austria.

Born and raised in Greenville, SC, Moody took up the cello in the public school system (Duncan Chapel Elementary) in the 4th grade. His voice and cello studies throughout high school (including three years of study