Andrew George

Andrew George was a participant for two summers and is now conducting coach at the Retreat. He is the Associate Director of Orchestras, Music Director of the Contemporary Directions Ensemble, and Assistant Professor of Conducting at the University of Michigan. His responsibilities include conducting the University Philharmonia Orchestra, the Contemporary Directions Ensemble, University Opera productions, and teaching courses in conducting.

Mr. George has appeared as Guest Conductor with the Columbus Symphony, BalletMet of Columbus, Toledo Symphony, Madison Symphony Orchestra, Edgewood Chamber Symphony, Wisconsin Middle-level All State Orchestra, Hong Kong Lui Ming Choi Youth Orchestra, Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra, and Cabell All-County Orchestra. He also served as Principal Conductor of the Composers Alliance Orchestra, and Kanopy Dance Company. Additional appointments include Assistant Conductor for a Naxos recording with the BBC Singers and orchestra in London, Assistant Conductor for Union Opera, and Cover Conductor for the Madison Symphony Orchestra. Mr. George previously served as Music Director for the University of Michigan Campus Symphony Orchestras, and Assistant Conductor for the University Opera. In the spring of 2002, he was invited to conduct the premiere of Bright Sheng's new opera, "Madame Mao, Act I" for the Festival of New Works. Mr. George collaborated with flutist Amy Porter and oboist Nancy Ambrose-King, conducting on their CD "Porter Ambrose King," released on Boston Records.

An active clinician and teacher, Mr. George has taught conducting at a workshop of the Conductor's Guild, American String Workshop, and the Conductors Retreat at Medomak. He has appeared as guest conductor or clinician in many states throughout the country, in addition to presenting at the Michigan Music Educator's Conference, Wisconsin State Music Conference, and at Oxford University, England. Prior to his appointment at the University of Michigan, Mr. George was Director of Orchestral Activities at Ohio University, where his responsibilities included conducting the orchestras, opera productions, and teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in conducting and orchestral literature. Mr. George received his Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from the University of Michigan, his Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting from the University of Wisconsin, and his Doctorate of Musical Arts in Orchestral Conducting from the University of Michigan. Prior to his Doctoral Studies, Mr. George taught orchestra and strings in the Madison (WI) Public Schools for seven years. His conducting teachers include Kenneth Kiesler, David Becker, James Smith, Marvin Rabin, Martin Katz, Donald Schleicher, Louis Bergonzi, and H. Robert Reynolds.

The 2008 application deadline has passed, however applications submitted now will be received and considered, as a few positions occasionally become available during the weeks prior to the beginning of the Conductors Retreat. If you have any questions, please send an e-mail to info@conductorsretreat.org.