PROHIBITION AND THE ROARING ’ 20S
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Lawrence Loh
Described as bringing an “ artisan storyteller ’ s sensitivity … shaping passages with clarity and power via beautifully sculpted dynamics … revealing orchestral character not seen or heard before ” ( Arts Knoxville ) Lawrence Loh enjoys a dynamic career as a conductor of orchestras all over the world .
As Music Director of Symphoria , the successor to the Syracuse Symphony , Lawrence Loh has helped to build a 21st century model of a modern symphony orchestra . “ The connection between the organization and its audience is one of the qualities that ’ s come to define Syracuse ’ s symphony as it wraps up its tenth season , a milestone that might have seemed impossible at the beginning ,” ( Syracuse . com ) Symphoria and Lawrence Loh show that it is possible to create a “ new , more sustainable artistic institution from the ground up .”
Appointed Assistant Conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony in 2005 , Mr Loh was quickly promoted to Associate and Resident Conductor within the first three years of working with the PSO . Always a favorite among Pittsburgh audiences , Loh returns frequently to his adopted city to conduct the PSO in a variety of concerts . Mr . Loh previously served as Music Director of the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra , Music Director of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic , Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Syracuse Opera , Music Director of the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra , Associate Conductor of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra , Associate Conductor of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra and Music Director of the Denver Young Artists Orchestra .
Mr . Loh ’ s recent guest conducting engagements include the San Francisco Symphony , Dallas Symphony , North Carolina Symphony , Baltimore Symphony , Sarasota Orchestra , Florida Orchestra , Pensacola Symphony , Atlanta Symphony , National
Symphony , Detroit Symphony , San Diego Symphony , Seattle Symphony , National Symphony ( D . C .), Utah Symphony , Rochester Philharmonic , Indianapolis Symphony , Calgary Philharmonic , Buffalo Philharmonic , Albany Symphony and the Cathedral Choral Society at the Washington National Cathedral . His summer appearances include the festivals of Grant Park , Boston University Tanglewood Institute , Tanglewood with the Boston Pops , Chautauqua , Sun Valley , Shippensburg , Bravo Vail Valley , the Kinhaven Music School and the Performing Arts Institute ( PA ).
As a self-described “ Star Wars geek ” and film music enthusiast , Loh has conducted numerous sold-out John Williams and film music tribute concerts . Part of his appeal is his ability to serve as both host and conductor . “ It is his enthusiasm for Williams ’ music and the films for which it was written that is Loh ’ s great strength in this program . A fan ’ s enthusiasm drives his performances in broad strokes and details and fills his speaking to the audience with irresistible appeal . He used no cue cards . One felt he could speak at filibuster length on Williams ’ music .” ( Pittsburgh Tribune )
Mr Loh has assisted John Williams on multiple occasions and has worked with a wide range of pops artists from Chris Botti and Ann Hampton Callaway to Jason Alexander and Idina Menzel . As one of the most requested conductors for conducting Films in Concert , Loh has led Black Panther , Star Wars ( Episodes 4-6 ), Jaws , Nightmare Before Christmas , Jurassic Park , Casablanca , The Wizard of Oz and Singin ’ in the Rain , among other film productions .
Lawrence Loh received his Artist Diploma in Orchestral Conducting from Yale , his Masters in Choral Conducting from Indiana University and his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Rochester . Lawrence Loh was born in southern California of Korean parentage and raised in Carlisle , Pennsylvania . He and his wife Jennifer have a son , Charlie , and a daughter , Hilary .
Lawrence Loh
MAR-APR 2024 / OVERTURE 39