Please join me as I talk with Dirk Meyer, Music Director of the Augusta Symphony, Duluth Superior Symphony, and Lyric Opera of the North, as he discusses his passion for conducting, emphasizing the continuous learning and the unique connection with musicians and audiences. He particularly admires late Romantic and Early Modern music, citing composers like Mahler and Strauss. Dirk also appreciates contemporary composers Thomas Adès and Arvo Pärt. He highlights the importance of tailoring programming to different audiences, balancing new music with audience preferences, and building trust through effective communication and preparation. He stresses the need for conductors to be knowledgeable and adaptable to diverse community tastes.

www.dirkmeyer.com

www.danielperttu.com

Please join me as I talk with Robert Moody, Music Director of the Memphis Symphony, Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, and Arizona MusicFest, as he discusses his passion for conducting, inspired by a childhood experience with the Chicago Symphony. He emphasizes the importance of diversity in music, citing influences from Mahler to contemporary composers such as Mason Bates. Moody highlights the need for orchestras to balance tradition with innovation, advocating for authenticity and cross-cultural influences. He stresses the communal experience of live music and the importance of programming that engages both audiences and musicians. Check it out below!

www.robertmoodymusic.com

www.danielperttu.com

In this episode of The Muse in Music, I speak with violinist William Shaub, concertmaster of the Knoxville Symphony and guest concertmaster of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (UK), Arctic Philharmonic (Norway), and the New Zealand Symphony, about artistic inspiration, leadership from the concertmaster’s chair, and what it means to nurture growth within an orchestra. We dive deeply into collaboration with living composers, discussing bravery, humility, rehearsal psychology, and the shared responsibility performers have to elevate new music. Please join us for a thoughtful, candid conversation about artistry, trust, and why the human side of music-making matters as much as the notes on the page.

www.danielperttu.com

www.williamshaub.com

Please join me as I talk with Merwin Siu, Artistic Administrator of Live Arts Toledo and Principal Second Violin of the Toledo Symphony, about how thoughtful programming, local partnerships, and long-term trust shape successful orchestral seasons. Merwin describes programming as a kind of “menu,” balancing the familiar and unfamiliar to create coherent musical experiences that resonate with specific communities. Drawing on projects inspired by Toledo’s astronomy program and regional conservation efforts, he shows how new music can feel both deeply local and broadly universal. The conversation also explores interdisciplinary collaboration and why new music is most effective when it’s integrated into a larger artistic narrative rather than treated as an isolated add-on.

www.danielperttu.com

Please join me as I talk with Jeffrey Robson, Music Director of the Arkansas Symphony, about his musical inspirations and experiences. Geoffrey, a former violinist, discusses his love for symphonic music, particularly from the Romantic and early 20th-century eras, and his admiration for composers like Tchaikovsky, Strauss, and Mahler. He highlights the importance of being a generalist in music and his appreciation for contemporary composers like Thomas Adès. Geoffrey emphasizes the collaborative relationship between conductors and living composers, noting the dynamic process of creating and performing new music.

https://www.geoffreyrobson.com

https://www.danielperttu.com

Please join me as I talk with Chad Goodman, Music Director of the Elgin Symphony, as he discusses his journey from trumpet playing to conducting, inspired by a transformative experience with Dvorak's New World Symphony. He emphasizes the deep connection and authenticity required in conducting and highlights his love for Beethoven, Sibelius, and various living composers. We talk about the importance of engaging audiences with new music, using pre-concert talks and innovative programming to bridge the gap between contemporary and classical works. Please listen and watch below!

https://www.chadgoodmanmusic.com/

https://www.danielperttu.com/

Please join me as I talk with violin soloist Holly Mulcahy, who is also concertmaster of the Wichita Symphony, about her work in audience engagement. Holly discusses her background coming from a family that was not deeply into "classical" music and how this informs her approach to making classical music accessible. She highlights the importance of inviting non-musical families to concerts and providing value beyond just performance. We also talk about her super-popular Rose of Sonora violin concerto, which combines film narrative with live performance, and her collaboration with Dan on the Stealing from Birds concerto, which incorporates bird calls and themes into the fabric of the piece.

www.hollymulcahy.com

www.danielperttu.com

Please join me as I talk with Michael O'Neal, founder and artistic director of The Michael O'Neal Singers, and Reece Windjack, the ensemble’s assistant and cover conductor, about what inspires them in their work. Michael reflects on formative influences from Leonard Bernstein and Robert Shaw, emphasizing storytelling, preparedness, and connecting deeply with audiences. Reece brings a Gen Z perspective, highlighting mentorship, diverse repertoire, and the role of choral music in fostering possibility and community. Together, they discuss championing living composers, reimagining classics, and shaping the future of live performance in a post-pandemic world.

www.danielperttu.com

www.mosingers.com