Role

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Conductor Performer

 

Scott Weiss is a renowned conductor and music educator who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born in 1959 in New York City, Weiss grew up in a family that valued music and the arts. His father was a jazz musician, and his mother was a music teacher. From a young age, Weiss showed a keen interest in music and began playing the piano and trumpet. Weiss attended the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in trumpet performance. He then went on to earn a Master of Music degree in conducting from the University of Michigan. During his time at Michigan, Weiss studied under renowned conductors Gustav Meier and Kenneth Kiesler. After completing his studies, Weiss began his career as a conductor, working with various orchestras and ensembles across the United States. In 1987, he was appointed the music director of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, a position he held for six years. During his tenure, Weiss helped to establish the orchestra as a major cultural institution in central Florida, and he received critical acclaim for his innovative programming and dynamic performances. In 1993, Weiss was appointed the music director of the Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival, a position he still holds today. The festival, which takes place annually in Harrisonburg, Virginia, is dedicated to the music of Johann Sebastian Bach and features performances by some of the world's leading musicians and ensembles. Under Weiss's leadership, the festival has grown in size and reputation, and it is now recognized as one of the premier Bach festivals in the United States. In addition to his work with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra and the Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival, Weiss has conducted numerous other orchestras and ensembles, including the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and the National Symphony Orchestra. He has also served as a guest conductor at several prestigious music festivals, including the Tanglewood Music Festival, the Aspen Music Festival, and the Pacific Music Festival in Sapporo, Japan. Throughout his career, Weiss has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the world of classical music. In 1990, he was awarded the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Fellowship, which recognizes outstanding artistic achievement in the performing arts. In 2003, he was awarded the Virginia Governor's Award for the Arts, the highest honor given by the state of Virginia for artistic excellence. In 2015, he was awarded the American Prize in Conducting, which recognizes excellence in the field of classical music. In addition to his work as a conductor, Weiss is also a dedicated music educator. He has served on the faculty of several universities and conservatories, including the University of Michigan, the University of Central Florida, and the University of Maryland. He has also conducted masterclasses and workshops for aspiring conductors and musicians around the world. Weiss is known for his innovative programming and his commitment to promoting new and lesser-known works by contemporary composers. He has commissioned and premiered numerous works by composers such as Jennifer Higdon, Michael Daugherty, and Roberto Sierra, and he has been praised for his ability to bring out the best in both established and emerging musicians.

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