Michael Palmer (conductor)
Encyclopedia
Michael Palmer is an American
orchestral
conductor
. Since 1993 he has served as Artistic Director of the annual Bellingham Festival of Music
(Bellingham, Washington
, USA). He has also served as Artistic Director of the Orchestral Institute at the Quartz Mountain Music Festival (Lone Wolf, Oklahoma
) since 2006.
Palmer began his professional career at age 21 when he became Assistant Conductor of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
in 1967, for which he was later named Associate Conductor. In that capacity he also became the first director of the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra
in 1974.
In 1975 he was one of the first young conductors to be selected as an EXXON/Arts Endowment Conductor by the National Endowment for the Arts
.
He left the ASO in 1977 to become Music Director of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra
(1977-1990), followed by posts of Music Director of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra
(1989-1997) and the American Sinfonietta
(1991-2002).
Palmer also was Guest Conductor for three seasons for the Houston Symphony Orchestra
(1978-1981) and a Co-Principal Guest Conductor of the Denver Symphony Orchestra
(1979-1982). He has also held academic conducting posts as Director of Orchestras for Wichita State University
(1999-2004) and Georgia State University
(2004-present).
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
orchestral
Orchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
. Since 1993 he has served as Artistic Director of the annual Bellingham Festival of Music
Bellingham Festival of Music
The Bellingham Festival of Music is a classical music festival held annually in Bellingham, Washington, USA, over several weeks during the summer...
(Bellingham, Washington
Bellingham, Washington
Bellingham is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Whatcom County in the U.S. state of Washington. It is the twelfth-largest city in the state. Situated on Bellingham Bay, Bellingham is protected by Lummi Island, Portage Island, and the Lummi Peninsula, and opens onto the Strait of Georgia...
, USA). He has also served as Artistic Director of the Orchestral Institute at the Quartz Mountain Music Festival (Lone Wolf, Oklahoma
Lone Wolf, Oklahoma
Lone Wolf is a town in Kiowa County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 438 at the 2010 census. The town was named for Chief Lone Wolf , a warrior chief of the Kiowa who fought to preserve his people's autonomy and way of life.-Geography:...
) since 2006.
Palmer began his professional career at age 21 when he became Assistant Conductor of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Robert Spano has been its music director since 2001...
in 1967, for which he was later named Associate Conductor. In that capacity he also became the first director of the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra
Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra
The Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, commonly known as the ASYO, is an organization featuring Atlanta's young instrumentalists, created in 1974....
in 1974.
In 1975 he was one of the first young conductors to be selected as an EXXON/Arts Endowment Conductor by the National Endowment for the Arts
National Endowment for the Arts
The National Endowment for the Arts is an independent agency of the United States federal government that offers support and funding for projects exhibiting artistic excellence. It was created by an act of the U.S. Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government. Its current...
.
He left the ASO in 1977 to become Music Director of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra
Wichita Symphony Orchestra
The Wichita Symphony Orchestra is a Wichita, Kansas, United States, based orchestra strongly associated with the Wichita State University School of Music. Founded in 1944, it is one of very few professional Symphony Orchestras in Kansas....
(1977-1990), followed by posts of Music Director of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra
New Haven Symphony Orchestra
The New Haven Symphony Orchestra is an American symphony orchestra based in New Haven, Connecticut. The New Haven Symphony Orchestra gave its first concert in 1895 and is the fourth oldest orchestra in the United States.- History :...
(1989-1997) and the American Sinfonietta
Sinfonietta (orchestra)
A Sinfonietta is a name for a musical group that is larger than a chamber ensemble but smaller than a full-size or symphony orchestra.There are many orchestras bearing the name "Sinfonietta", including:* American Sinfonietta...
(1991-2002).
Palmer also was Guest Conductor for three seasons for the Houston Symphony Orchestra
Houston Symphony Orchestra
The Houston Symphony is an American orchestra based in Houston, Texas. Since 1966, it has performed at the Jesse H. Jones Hall for the Performing Arts in downtown Houston....
(1978-1981) and a Co-Principal Guest Conductor of the Denver Symphony Orchestra
Colorado Symphony Orchestra
Colorado’s only full-time professional orchestra, the Colorado Symphony embraces a tradition of musical excellence by presenting a diverse array of symphonic performances throughout the year...
(1979-1982). He has also held academic conducting posts as Director of Orchestras for Wichita State University
Wichita State University
Wichita State University is a NCAA Division I public university in Wichita, Kansas with selective admissions. WSU is one of six state universities governed by the Kansas Board of Regents. The current president is Dr. Donald Beggs....
(1999-2004) and Georgia State University
Georgia State University
Georgia State University is a research university in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Founded in 1913, it serves about 30,000 students and is one of the University System of Georgia's four research universities...
(2004-present).