Gregory Grabowski _ CONDUCTOR [email protected] (940) 300‐3810 www.gregorygrabowski.com
CONDUCTING EXPERIENCE
Music Director Susquehanna University (SU) Orchestra (Selinsgrove, PA) – 2014 to present Conducted Susquehanna University Orchestra, opera and musical theater productions, and taught related courses in conducting, music history, arts administration, and music education. Flower Mound Symphony Orchestra (Flower Mound, TX) (interim) - 2013 Served as Music Director for a portion of the 2013-2014 season during the search for a permanent director. Conducted two season concerts, including a collaboration with an area chorus. Advised the search committee and board of directors in the selection of a permanent Music Director. Advised the board of directors on the future development of the ensemble. Meadows Symphony Orchestra, Southern Methodist University (Dallas, TX) (interim) - 2010 Conducted Meadows Symphony Orchestra (MSO) performances while Director of Orchestral Studies, Paul Phillips, recovered from an injury. Conducted fundraising gala concert at Winspear Opera House (Dallas, TX) in collaboration with Southern Methodist University (SMU) Department of Dance.
Assistant Conductor Lewisville Lake Symphony Orchestra (Lewisville, TX) - 2013-2014 Covered all performances and conducted partial concerts.
Guest Conductor Pennsylvania District 8 Festival Orchestra (Athens, PA) - 2018 Cumberland/Adams County Festival Orchestra (Gettysburg, PA) – 2015 Williamsport Area High School Orchestra side-by-side performance with the SU Orchestra (Selinsgrove, PA/Williamsport, PA) – 2015 Richardson Symphony Orchestra (Richardson, TX) - 2014 Dallas Area Asian Youth Orchestra (Dallas, TX) - 2014 Christ the King Catholic Church (Dallas, TX) - 2012 Conducted Mozart's Requiem with professional orchestra, choir, and soloists. Guest clinician: Cedar Cliff High School orchestra (Mechanicsburg, PA) – 2018 Gettysburg High School orchestra (Gettysburg, PA) – 2018 Lewisburg Area High School orchestra (Lewisburg, PA) – 2018 Williamsport Area High School orchestras (Williamsport, PA) – 2017, 2018 Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush orchestras (Philadelphia, PA) – 2015 John P Stevens High School orchestras (Edison, NJ) – 2015 GAMP high school orchestra and choir (Philadelphia, PA) – 2015 Opera/Musical Theater Conductor, Susquehanna University musical theater and opera productions – 2014 to present Pippin (Schwartz) She Loves Me (Bock and Harnick) Susquehanna University Opera Showcase (scenes and arias) The Addams Family (Lippa, Brickman and Elice) A Catered Affair (Bucchino) Guys and Dolls (Loesser) Conductor, Anti‐Formalist Rayok (Shostakovich) - 2014 Conducted a semi-staged concert performance with bass soloist, chorus, and chamber orchestra. Assistant Conductor, University of North Texas Opera Theater (Denton, TX) - 2012-2013 Die Dreigroschenoper (Weill) - Served as chorus master and rehearsal conductor, coached diction. Pirates of Penzance (Sullivan) - Served as offstage conductor, chorus master, and rehearsal conductor.
Graduate Assistant Conductor University of North Texas (Denton, TX) - 2011-2014 Served as cover conductor for all University of North Texas (UNT) Symphony Orchestra and Concert Orchestra performances. Conducted assigned pieces in rehearsals and concerts. Served as orchestra librarian - organized purchasing/renting, bowing, and distributing scores and parts. Southern Methodist University (Dallas, TX) - 2008-2010 Served as cover conductor for all Meadows Symphony Orchestra (MSO) performances. Conducted assigned pieces for selected concerts and rehearsals as well as several complete concerts. Served as orchestra librarian - organized library, bowed and distributed parts.
RESEARCH
“Shostakovich’s Use of Satire in Anti‐Formalist Rayok with a Focus on the Music of the Character D.T. Troikin” • Anti-Formalist Rayok is a self-censored chamber opera/cantata that satirizes several prominent Soviet political figures, including Josef Stalin, by quoting from their speeches and writings on music. My research focuses on the satirical elements of Rayok, placing into context its political and social aspects, and how Shostakovich portrayed them musically. The final presentation of my research included a performance with bass soloist, chamber orchestra, and chorus. “Shostakovich, Socialist Realism, and Satire in Anti-Formalist Rayok” • This article will be published in the January 2019 issue of the DSCH Journal. “College Orchestra Director 101: From Submitting the Application to Applying for Tenure” • Presented at the University of North Texas in September 2018. • The purpose of this presentation is to guide young orchestra conductors in the field of conducting in academia. Topics include how to search for jobs, submitting desirable application materials, navigating the interview process, programming for young collegiate ensembles, scholarship for conductors, and the tenure process.
Research: In Progress “Eye to Eye with the Orchestra for Choral Conductors” • The purpose of this research is to provide a guide for young choral and instrumental conductors in preparing choral/orchestral works. This presentation is a collaboration with Dr. Julia Thorn (Director of Choral Activities at the Delta State University), in which each of us will discuss ensemble preparation from our own area of expertise; Dr. Thorn will address the instrumental conductors about preparing the choir, and I will address the choral conductors about preparing the orchestra. “The Adjustables and the Absolutes: Taking Musical Observations from Page to Performance” • The main topic of this article is on the act of making observations in the score to help inform musical choices. It will include musical examples to show how one can make observations regarding the finite aspects of a piece (the Absolutes: harmony, texture, orchestration, rhythm, etc.) in order to make interpretive choices using the elements performer can control (the Adjustables: timbre, phrasing, and variations in dynamics and articulation). “Orchestral Composer Resource” (working title) • The Orchestral Composer Resource is an online repertoire database that will include live video recordings of previously unrecorded orchestral works from the 18th century to today. The aim of this project is to provide a programming resource for orchestras of all levels to promote lesser-known works and underrepresented composers. • The future of this project will include videos submitted by other conductors and ensembles and the inclusion of operatic works. The aim is to create a type of online journal in which submissions are peer reviewed before online publication.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Assistant Professor: Orchestra Director, Susquehanna University (Selinsgrove, PA) - 2014-present Courses taught: Beginning Conducting, Music of the Classical and Romantic Eras, Symphonic Literature, Private Conducting Lessons, Instrumental Methods, Introduction to Arts Leadership, Public School Music: Organization and Administration, Student Teacher Observations. Served as academic advisor for music majors, helping with class placements, guidance with professional goals, and finding opportunities outside the university.
Associate Director: Associate Director of Winds and Percussion, Roach Middle School (Frisco, TX) - 2005-2008 Directed various wind ensembles and jazz bands. Taught beginner woodwind classes (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone). Recruited incoming students for the Winds and Percussion program. Adjudicated solo and ensemble competitions and All-Region Band auditions. Organized community outreach performances.
RELATED EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
Susquehanna University Orchestra Festival, 2018-present • Created an orchestra festival for invited high school orchestras to perform and work with clinicians. Susquehanna University Summer String Institute, 2019 • Created a summer string institute in which high school aged students will have the opportunity to work with SU faculty on their primary instrument, take classes in music theory and history, have coachings and performances in chamber ensembles, and rehearse and perform as an orchestra. Student composition reading sessions with the SU Orchestra, 2014-present • Organized student composition readings each semester in collaboration with the SU composition studio and Orchestration classes. Concerto Competition, 2014-present • Organized the SU Concerto Competition with the winner performing as soloist with the SU Orchestra. UNT Recording Services (Denton, TX), 2011-2014 • Assisted in production of live streaming video for UNT’s orchestra performances.
Adjudicator and Panelist: Adjudicator, Trills and Thrills Music Festival, 2017-present Adjudicator, Messiah College Concerto Competition, 2018 Panelist, Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra College Panel Discussion, 2017
Committee Member: Arts Events Committee member (SU), 2016-present Music Education faculty search committee (SU), 2018-2019 • Served as a member of the search committee to find a new tenure-track music education faculty member who would serve as the department education coordinator. Committee for the creation of Arts Administration minor (SU), 2016-2017 • Worked with faculty in the Music, Theater, and Business departments on creating an Arts Administration minor. • Created and taught a new class titled, “Introduction to Arts Leadership.” Voice faculty search committee (SU), 2016-2017 • Served as a member of the search committee to find a new tenure-track voice faculty member.
EDUCATION
University of North Texas, 2011‐2014 Doctor of Musical Arts in Orchestral Conducting - David Itkin, instructor Related field in Opera
Southern Methodist University, 2008‐2010 Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting - Paul Phillips, instructor
University of North Texas, 1999‐2003 Bachelor of Music in Music Education
WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS
New York Conducting Institute – Conducting Participant – 2017 Don Schleicher, instructor Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival – Conducting Participant – 2016 Fairbanks Festival Orchestra (Fairbanks, AK) Robert Franz, instructor Baltimore Chamber Orchestra Conducting Workshop – Conducting Participant – 2011 Baltimore Chamber Orchestra (Baltimore, MD) Markand Thakar, instructor California Conducting Institute – Conducting Participant – 2009 Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra (Bakersfield, CA) Daniel Lewis, Donald Thulean, and John Farrer, instructors Conductors Institute at South Carolina – Conducting Fellow – 2009 University of South Carolina (Columbia, SC) Donald Portnoy, Paul Vermel, Samuel Jones, Peter Jaffe, and Kate Tamarkin, instructors Conductors Institute at Bard – Conducting Fellow – 2009 Bard College Conservatory of Music (Annandale-on-Hudson, NY) Harold Farberman, Leon Botstein, Apo Hsu and Raymond Harvey, instructors
INSTRUCTORS
Primary conducting teachers David Itkin – Professor of Music, Director of Orchestral Studies, University of North Texas Paul Phillips - Professor of Music, Martha Raley Peak Centennial Chair and Director of the Meadows Symphony Orchestra, Southern Methodist University Clay Couturiaux - Assistant Director of Orchestral Studies, University of North Texas
Additional conducting teachers Nicholas Pasquet Daniel Lewis Don Schleicher Markand Thakar Robert Franz Peter Jaffe Donald Portnoy Samuel Jones Apo Hsu Harold Farberman Kate Tamarkin Donald Thulean Paul Vermel John Farrer Leon Botstein Raymond Harvey REFERENCES
Julia Thorn. Assistant Professor of Music, Director of Choral Activities, Delta State University. [email protected] (662.846.4615) DSU Box 3256 Bailey 129, Cleveland, MS 38733
Frank Machos. Executive Director of the Arts & Academic Enrichment, School District of Philadelphia. [email protected] (215.400.5667) 440 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130
Andy Kozar. Acting Chair of the Winds and Brass Department and Trumpet Faculty, Longy School of Music of Bard College. [email protected] (412.680.0974) 27 Garden Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
David Itkin. Professor of Music, Director of Orchestral Studies, University of North Texas. Music Director, Abilene Philharmonic. Conductor Laureate, Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. [email protected] (940.597.1869) 415 Avenue C, Denton, TX 76201
Paul Phillips. Professor of Music, Martha Raley Peak Centennial Chair and Director of the Meadows Symphony Orchestra, Southern Methodist University. [email protected] (214.768.4247) 6101 Bishop Blvd., Dallas, Texas 75275
ADDITIONAL REFERENCES:
Clay Couturiaux. Assistant Director of Orchestral Studies, University of North Texas. Music Director, Richardson Symphony Orchestra, Monroe Symphony Orchestra. [email protected] (940.565.3732) 415 Avenue C, Denton, TX 76201
Richard Sparks. Professor of Music, Chair of Conducting and Ensembles, University of North Texas. [email protected] (940.369.7407) 415 Avenue C, Denton, TX 76201
Aaron White. Visiting Assistant Professor of Theatre, Susquehanna University. [email protected] (570.372.4522) 514 University Avenue, Selinsgrove, PA 17870