Photo by Paul Leavy
Howard Hsu is the Music Director of the Valdosta (GA) Symphony Orchestra, which performs a vital cultural role in the South Georgia region, and he also serves as Professor of Music and Director of Orchestra Studies at Valdosta State University. Under his leadership, the Valdosta Symphony was selected as the 2014 winner of the American Prize in Orchestral Performance (community division), and has had performances aired statewide on Georgia Public Broadcasting Radio’s “Midday Music,” “Orchestras of Georgia,” and “Front Row Georgia” programs. Hsu has performed with the Canadian Brass, Robert McDuffie, Simone Dinnerstein, Jennifer Frautschi, Wendy Warner, Christine Brewer, Rachel Barton Pine, Orion Weiss, Stanford Olsen, Alexander Ghindin, Alexander Schimpf, Awadagin Pratt, Elena Urioste, the Empire Brass, Chris Brubeck, Jon Nakamatsu, Geneva Lewis, Maria Ioudenitch, Melissa White, Natasha Paremski, Kelly Hall-Tompkins, Katia Skanavi, Amy Schwartz Moretti, and the Melodica Men. He conducted the world premiere of James Oliverio’s Trumpet Concerto No. 1: World House; the U.S. premiere of Ned McGowan’s Concerto for iPad and Orchestra (Rotterdam Concerto 2); and the Georgia premieres of Jessie Montgomery’s Rounds, Jeff Beal’s Body in Motion, James MacMillan’s Larghetto for Orchestra, Fernande Decruck’s Sonata for Saxophone and Orchestra, several Debussy/Matthews Preludes, and Jonathan Bailey Holland’s Motor City Dance Mix. Through the Symphony’s Youth Concert Series, he has introduced live classical music to thousands of children in the area.
Howard Hsu has appeared as guest conductor with the Hartford (CT), Fox Valley (WI), Wyoming, Mankato (MN), Macon (GA), Johns Creek (GA), and New Britain (CT) Symphonies, as well as the Bronx (NY) Arts Ensemble, with whom he conducted the world premiere of Eleanor Cory’s O’Keeffe’s Flora. He was a Visiting Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Connecticut and Associate Conductor of the University of Connecticut Symphony Orchestra, and was Visiting Instructor of Music and Director of the Orchestra at Connecticut College.
Howard Hsu has worked closely with groups dedicated to training young musicians, including the Lake George (NY) Opera Festival, where he served as Associate Conductor and Music Director of the Apprentice opera scenes concerts. Hsu has conducted the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association All State Orchestra, Georgia Music Educators Association All State 9/10 Orchestra, and the Georgia Governor’s Honors Program Orchestra and String Ensemble. Through the Hartford Symphony’s Mentoring Program he served as a Master Teaching Artist, and was a faculty member with The Harlem (NY) School of the Arts. Hsu received his D.M.A. from the University of Connecticut, his M.M. from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and his B.S. from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Howard Hsu has appeared as guest conductor with the Hartford (CT), Fox Valley (WI), Wyoming, Mankato (MN), Macon (GA), Johns Creek (GA), and New Britain (CT) Symphonies, as well as the Bronx (NY) Arts Ensemble, with whom he conducted the world premiere of Eleanor Cory’s O’Keeffe’s Flora. He was a Visiting Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Connecticut and Associate Conductor of the University of Connecticut Symphony Orchestra, and was Visiting Instructor of Music and Director of the Orchestra at Connecticut College.
Howard Hsu has worked closely with groups dedicated to training young musicians, including the Lake George (NY) Opera Festival, where he served as Associate Conductor and Music Director of the Apprentice opera scenes concerts. Hsu has conducted the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association All State Orchestra, Georgia Music Educators Association All State 9/10 Orchestra, and the Georgia Governor’s Honors Program Orchestra and String Ensemble. Through the Hartford Symphony’s Mentoring Program he served as a Master Teaching Artist, and was a faculty member with The Harlem (NY) School of the Arts. Hsu received his D.M.A. from the University of Connecticut, his M.M. from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and his B.S. from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.