Performing

2023 Festival at Carnegie Hall Conductors & Adjudicators

Hot off the press—our 2023 lineup of prestigious conductors and adjudicators for the famed main stage at Carnegie Hall is now public!

The Festival at Carnegie Hall gives talented choirs, bands, and orchestras the chance to perform on the Ronald O. Perelman Stage in the Isaac Stern Auditorium, the largest stage in New York’s Carnegie Hall. Open since 1891, many music legends have graced this hallowed stage. Next season, these world-class conductors and adjudicators will lead student ensembles through their debuts in the Hall.

Anton Armstrong

Entering his 32^nd year as Director of St. Olaf Choir, Dr. Anton Armstrong is the longest-tenured conductor in the ensemble’s history. He’s also the Tosdal Professor of Music at St. Olaf College and a graduate of the esteemed liberal arts college. “Music creates commonality for people—we have so much more in common than divides us,” said Dr. Armstrong. Read on for his full bio. Dr. Armstrong will conduct the National Youth Choir at the Festival at Carnegie Hall on March 6, 2023.

André Thomas

A conductor, composer, and author, Dr. André Thomas is the recently retired Owen F. Sellers Professor of Music, Director of Choral Activities, and Professor of Choral Music Education at Florida State University. Curious about his teaching style? Here’s a quote from Dr. Thomas’ bio on the topic, “Students have to take risks, but they learn to take those risks in a safe atmosphere with tasks that are achievable given appropriate application and effort.” Read more about him here. Dr. Thomas will conduct the National Youth Choir at the Festival at Carnegie Hall on March 6, 2023.

Lynne Gackle

Dr. Lynne Gackle is the Director of Choral Activities at Baylor University and holds the Mary Jane Gibbs Professor of Music Chair. She also conducts Baylor Bella Voce and Baylor Concert Choir, teaches choral conducting and choral literature, serves as the Director of the Ensemble Division, and is Past-President of the American Choral Directors Association. In a recent article, Dr. Gackle said, “Music created in the moment, in the present, reminds all of us, performers and singers alike, of our connectedness and our humanness.” Read more about her here. Dr. Gackle will conduct the National Youth Choir on March 26, 2023.

Jeffery Redding

This 2019 GRAMMY Music Educator Award recipient always makes a lasting impression on students. Dr. Jeffery Redding is the Director of Choral Activities at the University of Central Florida and former Director of Choral Activities at West Orange High School. “Don’t sing to impress, sing to inspire,” he said. Learn more about Dr. Redding’s mission to instill passion and purpose in every singer in this 2019 CBS interview. He will conduct the National Youth Choir on April 16, 2023.

Edith Copley

Dr. Edith Copley recently retired after 31 years as Director of Choral Activities at Northern Arizona University. While there, she conducted the highly acclaimed Shrine of the Ages Choir. In 2021, Dr. Copley started as President-Elect with the national American Choral Directors Association. She will lead the Multi-Generational Choir at the Festival at Carnegie Hall on April 16, 2023.

H. Robert Reynolds

In addition to his role as the Principal Conductor of the Wind Ensemble at the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California, Mr. H. Robert Reynolds was recently inducted into the American Classical Music Hall of Fame. He also conducts the Detroit Chamber Winds & Strings and is a Past President of CBDNA. Mr. Reynolds has joined our prestigious lineup of National Band and Orchestra Festival adjudicators.

Frank Battisti

Mr. Frank Battisti created the New England Conservatory’s famed Wind Ensemble in 1969. He’s also past president of the College Band Directors National Association and a published author. From a recent Directors Circle Podcast, Mr. Battisti gave this simple advice to music educators on helping students thrive, “Be strong. Be considerate. Be determined. Be joyous, and be humble in your service to students and the great art of music.”  He will adjudicate the National Band and Orchestra Festivals at Carnegie Hall in 2022 and 2023.

Craig Kirchhoff

Mr. Craig Kirchhoff is Professor of Conducting and Director of University Bands at the University of Minnesota, where he conducts the University Wind Ensemble and guest conducts in the University Opera Program. Read about his philosophy on teaching and more in this SBO Magazine article. Mr. Kirchhoff will adjudicate at the National Band and Orchestra Festivals in 2022 and 2023.

Charles Peltz

Mr. Charles Peltz is the Director of Wind Ensembles at the New England Conservatory of Music and the Music Director of the Glens Falls Symphony Orchestra. An award-winning educator, he has taught at Harvard, Ithaca College, and SUNY Buffalo. Mr. Peltz will join our adjudication panel during the 2023 National Band and Orchestra Festivals