Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra Names New Conductor
June 8, 2021
The Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra (NFSO), housed at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center in Niceville, has a new conductor. After 18 months of meticulous searching, Todd Craven has been named NFSO Music Director and Conductor right in time for the orchestra’s 35th season.
“We are pleased to announce Todd Craven as our new NFSO conductor,” said Dr. Devin Stephenson, Northwest Florida State College President. “Todd brings a wealth of successful experiences and musicianship to the Orchestra and to this region. There is no question that his leadership will keep the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra as the exemplar on the Emerald Coast. His reputation for building great programs and leading musicians to excellence is unparalleled in our area.”
Craven hails from Flint, Michigan, where he attended the Flint Institute of Music and then went on to the University of Michigan. As for his musical career, Craven has held the position of Assistant Conductor of both the Buffalo Philharmonic and the Florida Grand Opera and was the Co-Founder and Music Director of the Orlando Contemporary Chamber Orchestra. He has also led many orchestras across the country as guest conductor, most recently at the Toledo Symphony Orchestra in Toledo, Ohio.
What do you most look forward to in this area of Florida?
I look forward to being near the water again! I just love the beautiful inlets, bayous and of course the amazing Gulf Coast beaches nearby. Also, my wife and I are looking forward to getting to know the people and becoming a real part of the community.
What do you hope to bring to the orchestra that will be new and different from years past?
The first step for me is to program and lead outstanding concerts for the orchestra’s 35th anniversary season. Beyond that, I imagine introducing projects that engage with the community on a deeper level. This will entail the musicians of the NFSO performing in different venues. I also look forward to introducing some new community and educational initiatives.
If you could pick only one style of music to listen to for the rest of your life what would it be?
That is a tough question! My musical tastes are pretty eclectic, actually. I love to relax to jazz and some popular music. Of course, my passion lies in classical orchestral music. I never tire of listening to the music of the great American composers Copland, Barber and Bernstein or that of the European Masters Beethoven, Brahms, Mahler and Tchaikovsky.
What influential experience(s) made you decide to pursue a career as a conductor?
I began my professional career as Principal Trumpet of the Sarasota Orchestra. When I participated in my first conducting masterclass almost a decade ago, I was profoundly affected by the realization of how the conductor can influence and shape the sound of an ensemble. This first experience conducting a professional group was a life changing experience for me.
What is your earliest memory of orchestral music?
My first indelible impression was hearing my hometown orchestra (the Flint Symphony) perform Pictures at an Exhibition by Modest Mussorgsky. This is a big, colorful Russian masterwork orchestrated by the great French composer Maurice Ravel. I knew from that moment that I wanted to be a part of this amazing sound world.
Do you play any instruments? If so which ones and do you have a favorite?
Obviously, I’m still drawn to the sound of the trumpet, but I have developed a knowledge and love for every instrument of the orchestra.
What is your favorite musical experience that you have had in your life thus far?
I have been fortunate to have had many wonderful musical experiences as both a player and conductor. More recently, I had the opportunity to conduct the Buffalo Philharmonic in a multi-media work called Ellis Island: A Dream of America by composer Peter Boyer. This concert also incorporated stories of local immigrants who found their way to the U.S. from war-torn countries under very difficult circumstances. These stories, along with Boyer’s gorgeous music was a powerfully moving experience.
How influential was JoAnn Falletta in your career?
It happens that I have had two famous female conducting mentors: JoAnn Falletta and Marin Alsop, who really believed in me and helped me launch my career. They are both models of incredible leadership and vision. Beyond that, I have had some of the best teachers in the country guide me from the path of trumpet player to conductor, including William Wiedrich, Kenneth Kiesler and Donald Schleicher.
The NFSO’s 35th season begins September 18, 2021 with a concert entitled Festive Celebration. For more information on the upcoming season visit www.mattiekellyartscenter.org.