RACHEL WADDELL
To create shared musical experiences, where everyone feels inspired and welcome, I imagine a future where orchestras, our programs, and audiences reflect, align, and ally with our communities.
BIO
American conductor Rachel Waddell is in the business of shared experiences. She became a conductor because of her own love of the process of music creation, and she wants to enable as many as possible to share their own stories through music.
She believes 21st century orchestras have an opportunity to mirror the American people through diverse programs, orchestras, and audiences, and she is passionately committed to bringing that vision to fruition. She prides herself in her ability to grow orchestras and their resources, on her innovative programming, and her ability to build meaningful connections with her community.
SCHEDULE
FALL 2022
"Meliora"
October 1, 2022
University of Rochester Chamber and Symphony Orchestras
Strong Auditorium . University of Rochester, NY
7.30 pm EST
University of Rochester Chamber Orchestra
Quinn Mason, Toast of the Town Overture
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Capriccio Espagnol
University of Rochester Symphony Orchestra
Maurice Ravel, Bolero
Michael Daugherty, Red Cape Tango
Johann Strauss II, arr. Paul Desenne, Tritsch Tratsch Polka, Triqui-Traqui
"Nordic Landscapes"
December 3, 2022
University of Rochester Symphony Orchestra
Strong Auditorium . University of Rochester, NY
8.00 pm EST
Niels Gade, Echoes of Ossian Overture
Jean Sibelius, Symphony No. 1
December 8, 2022
University of Rochester Chamber Orchestra
Memorial Art Gallery . Rochester, NY
6:00-8:30 pm EST
In Collaboration with the Memorial Art Gallery
and the Country Dancers of Rochester
A Bridgerton-Inspired evening of Music, Art, and Dance
featuring music from Bridgerton
and works by Nannette Stein Streicher, Maria Theresa von Paradis,
Ignatius Sancho, and Ludwig van Beethoven.
December 10, 2022
University of Rochester Chamber Orchestra
Strong Auditorium . Rochester, NY
8.00 pm EST
In Collaboration with the Memorial Art Gallery
and the Geneseo Symphony Orchestra
Gioachino Rossini, Overture to William Tell
Chevalier de Saint-Georges, Sinfonia No. 1 in G Major
Dr. Leah McGray, Conductor
Ludwig van Beethoven, Arr. José Ramón Hernández, 12 Contradanses arranged for full orchestra
Emilie Mayer, Symphony No. 2 in e minor
PRESS
"A conductor of creativity and courage, worthy of high praise."
SEMI-FINALIST / VIRTUAL PERFORMANCE (PERFORMING REMOTELY) / 2021-22
3RD PLACE NATIONAL WINNER / VYTAUTAS MARIJOSIUS MEMORIAL AWARD IN ORCHESTRAL PROGRAMMING / 2019-20
2ND PLACE NATIONAL WINNER / VYTAUTAS MARIJOSIUS MEMORIAL AWARD IN ORCHESTRAL PROGRAMMING / 2019-20
"Reimagining Beethoven" Wins 2021 Best Instrumental Performance
"Conductor inspires students to challenge selves, society."
"MUSICIANS OF ROCHESTER" / READ THE ARTICLE / LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW
"At once spunky and intimate, it was as if she thoughtfully absorbed every musical passage — whether calm and enchanting, or turbulent — and at the same time seemed to pour every note back into the ensemble. It was a sensibility eagerly reciprocated by the orchestra as it responded with marvelous tonal depth and palpable exuberance."
TOM WACHUNAS / CLEVELAND CLASSICAL / READ THE REVIEW
MEDIA
Reimagining Beethoven's Choral Fantasy
Fall 2020:
UR Orchestras Virtual Gala and Fundraiser
CONTACT
© 2022, Rachel Waddell
All Rights Reserved