Overview
Todd
Craven
Overview
Todd
Craven
“
It is my passion to promote orchestral music, including the works of living composers, cultivating young and diverse audiences and bringing new people to this great art form.
”
Known for his creative programming, vibrant podium presence and spirit of collaboration, American conductor Todd Craven is Music Director/Conductor of the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra and Artistic Director of the Orlando Contemporary Chamber Orchestra. In both communities, he has brought a heightened level of collaboration and audience engagement, bringing his musical sensitivity and passion for contemporary music and advocating for the 21st century orchestra through creative programming that introduces symphonic music to people from all walks of life.
Todd’s recent guest conducting engagements have included Handel’s Messiah with the Jacksonville Symphony, a series of sold-out holiday concerts with The Florida Orchestra, and his debut with the Orlando Philharmonic last season at the Concert at the Springs. Recently, Mr. Craven has shared the stage with operatic tenor Lawrence Brownlee, violinist Rachel-Barton Pine and pianist Anne-Marie McDermott and was invited to assist on a recording projects with Eric Jacobsen and legendary artists Gil Shaham and Bela Fleck with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. This summer, Todd will return to conduct a series of outdoor concerts with the Virginia Symphony, and is also invited to guest conduct the Goiânia Symphony Orchestra of Brazil. Other conducting highlights have included engagements with the Detroit Symphony, Toledo Symphony, Edmonton Symphony, Peabody Symphony Orchestra, Lyric Theatre at Illinois and the Virginia Symphony Orchestra.
Mr. Craven’s accomplishments include First Prize in the 2019 Los Angeles Conducting Competition, Assistant Conductor positions with the Buffalo Philharmonic and Florida Grand Opera, and Music Director positions with the University of Michigan Life Sciences Orchestra and Michigan Pops Orchestra. Previously a prize -winning trumpet player, Todd began his professional career as Principal Trumpet of the Sarasota Orchestra and performed with the New York Philharmonic, Cincinnati Symphony and as a frequent guest artist at the Sarasota Music Festival.
Craven made his conducting debut in 2012 with members of the Sarasota Orchestra and Redeemer Chorus in Maurice Durufle’s Requiem. In 2014, he began conducting studies with Kenneth Kiesler at the University of Michigan and subsequently with Marin Alsop at the Peabody Conservatory. Other conducting mentors include JoAnn Falletta, Donald Schleicher, Larry Rachleff, and William Wiedrich.
New Page
New Page
“ …. conductor Todd Craven provided a nuanced lead in his baton-less conducting. The poetry of his gestures neatly produced gratifying results”..- Sarasota Herald Tribune
“ Todd’s musical sensitivity, acute sense of rhythmic pulse, and affable personality contribute to his overall abilities as a conductor”..- Marin Alsop
“Todd is a deeply gifted conductor and has won the respect of the orchestra and audience here in Buffalo. His technique, stylistic understanding, knowledge of the score and communication skills are excellent”.. - JoAnn Falletta
Concerts
Concerts
Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra
2023-24 Season
Opening Classics: War and Peace, October 21, 7 p.m. Mattie Kelly Arts Center
HANDEL: Overture to the Royal Fireworks
SHUYING LI: Purple Mountains
PROKOFIEV: Suite from War and Peace
I.Fanfare and Polonaise
II.Intermezzo
III. Final Chorus (featuring the NFSO Chorale)
INTERMISSION
HOLST: The Planets (with NASA video)
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Special event: Sounds of the Spectrum
A concert to benefit the Emerald Coast Autism Center
November 8, 7 p.m. Mattie Kelly Arts Center
Guest artists:
Lawrence Brownlee, tenor
David Spencer, trumpet
Artists from the Pensacola Opera
The Northwest Florida Symphony Chorale
The Unified Gospel Choir
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Handel: Messiah
December 2, 7 p.m. St. Paul Lutheran Church (Niceville)
December 3, 2:30 p.m. Point Washington United Methodist Church (Pt. Washington)
Featuring the Northwest Florida Symphony Chorale, Darrin Isaac Scott, director
Soloists: TBA
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Holiday Pops: Towne and Country, December 8, 7 p.m. Mattie Kelly Arts Center
A Holiday extravaganza featuring guest country artists the Swon brothers.
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Stars of Tomorrow concert: Star-Crossed Lovers
Coleridge-Taylor: Overture to the song of Hiawatha
F.J. Haydn: Concerto for Piano in G major, mvt. I
Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto in D major, mvt. I
Grieg: Piano Concerto in D, mvt. I
Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet, Suites 1 and 2
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GUEST APPEARANCES 2022-23
Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Assistant/cover conductor, 2023
Recording projects with Eric Jacobsen, Gil Shaham and Bela Fleck
Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and chorus, Guest Conductor, December 18, 2022
Handel: Messiah
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Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, Guest Conductor
Concert at the Springs, April 1, 2023
Music of the Beatles with Classic Mystery Tour
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CONCERTS, 2022
Orlando Contemporary Chamber Orchestra Summer Series
June 15th 7:00, Harriet’s Orlando Ballet Theatre
“ To There from Here”
Premieres of works by Charlie Griffin, David Wilborne and Kyle Throw
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July 16, Harriet’s Orlando Ballet Theatre
“Tales of Intrigue”
Works by Sarah Omens, contemporary arrangements of Ravel and Mussorgsky
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August 27, Harriet’s Orlando Ballet Theatre
Featuring VoxOCCO
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ECMEA All Country Festival, University of Buffalo, Slee Hall, March 25-26
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5
Moncayo: Huapango
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Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra:
Classics Finale: Declarations of Independence, March 18, Mattie Kelly Arts Center
Sibelius: Finlandia with the NFSO chorale
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor, K. 466, featuring Anne-Marie McDermott
INTERMISSION
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5
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Carnegie Hall Link Up Concerts, The Orchestra Swings, March 2nd and 3rd
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Classics #3: An Evening of Magic by the Sea, February 26, Mattie Kelly Arts Center
Mozart: Overture from the Magic Flute
Haydn Piano Concerto No. 11, I. Vivace, featuring Walter Gonzalves
Sibelius: Violin Concerto in D, I Allegro moderato, featuring Filippo Aldrovandi-Reina
INTERMISSION
Haydn: Symphony No. 39 in G minor, IV. Allegro moto
Anna Clyne: Seascape from Abstractions
Still: Tranquil Cove from Patterns
Britten: Peter Grimes: Four Sea Interludes, IV. Storm
Debussy: La Mer
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CONCERTS 2021
Festive Celebration: Soaring to New Heights, September 18, 7:30
Mattie Kelly Arts Center
Boyer: Celebration Overture
Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto in D Major, Rachel Barton Pine, soloist.
Harlin: Art of Flight
Respighi: Pines of Rome
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Halloween Spooktacular! October 23rd, 7p.m. Mattie Kelly Arts Center
Stravinsky: Firebird Suite: Infernal Dance
Dukas: Sorcerer’s Apprentice
Saint-Saens: Danse Macabre
Prokofiev: Death of Tybalt, from Romeo and Juliet Suite No. 2
Zimmer: Symphonic Highlights from Pirates of the Caribbean
Gounod: Funeral March of a Marionette
Williams: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone: Suite for Orchestra
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Holiday Pops: Around the World with the NFSO, December 10th,
7:30, Mattie Kelly Arts Center
J. Stephenson: Holiday Overture
L. Mozart: Sleigh Ride (Austria)
Delius: Sleigh ride (England)
Prokofiev: Troika from Lt. Kije Suite (Russia)
Faith: Brazilian Sleigh Bells (Brazil)
Anderson: Sleigh Ride (United States)
Holcombe: Festive Sounds of Hanukah (Israel)
Ivey: O Lord of Glory, featuring the Voices of Northwest Florida
Ivey: Sounds of the Holiday Season, featuring Dr. Devin Stephenson and the VONF
INTERMISSION
Anderson: Christmas Festival, featuring the Northwest Florida Symphony Chorale
Wilberg: First Noel
Rutter: Go Tell it on the Mountain
Davis/Custer: Stille Nacht, featuring Alexandra Pererverzeva, cello
Wachner: The Snow Lay on the Ground
Ivey: O Soulful Night, featuring guest soloist Christina Maxwell
Lopez/Lopez: Let it Go! from the movie Frozen, featuring Christina Maxwell
Silvestri: God Bless us Everyone, featuring Christina Maxwell, the Voices of Northwest Florida and the Northwest Florida Symphony Chorale
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THE FLORIDA ORCHESTRA, SOUND WAVES #1: HOLIDAY BRASS
Thursday, December 16, 2021 | Sun City Center - UMC @ 3:00 pm
Friday, December 17, 2021 | Al Lang Stadium @ 7:30 pm
Saturday, December 18, 2021 | The Palladium @ 2:00 pm
Saturday, December 18, 2021 | The Factory @ 8:00 pm
Arrival of the Queen of Sheba
G. F. Handel (Arr. Howard Cable)
Capriol Suite
I. Basse-Danse
II. Pavane
III. Tordion
IV. Bransles
V. Pieds-en-l’air
Peter Warlock (Arr. James Haynor)
O Magnum Mysterium
Morten Lauridsen
Canzon septimi toni No. 2
Gabrieli (Arr. King)
Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme
J. S. Bach (Arr. Enrique Crespo)
INTERMISSION
Ding! Dong! Merrily on High
Traditional (Arr. Sterling Procter)
Greensleeves
Ralph Vaughan Williams (Arr. E. Howarth)
Selections from The Nutcracker ♫
March, Chinese Dance; Arabian Dance; Russian Dance
P.I. Tchaikovsky (Arr. Phil Snedecor)
A Christmas Festival
Leroy Anderson (Arr. Christian Arnold)
Frosty the Snowman – Rudolph – Santa Medley
Arr. Seiter
Santa’s Cool Yule
Rob Will
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Orlando Contemporary Chamber Orchestra, Harriett’s Orlando Ballet, August 21
Reverie and Reflection, featuring VoxOCCO (Claire Hodge, director)
Alexandra Fol: Reflective Reflexion
Donald Yu: Piano Concerto No. 1, Caroline Hill Owen
Dear Umma: ChanJi Kim
Jose Jesus Ravelo: La Muerta de Cristo, featuring VoxOcco
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Orlando Contemporary Chamber Orchestra, Harriett’s Orlando Ballet Centre, June 5
Pale Blue Dot, A reconnection in the aftermath of separation
Jamie Wehr: Sayewitalli, Mauricio Céspedes Rivero, guest viola soloist
Kitty Xiao: The Distance of the Moon
Andrew Scott Foust: Pale Blue Dot
Guest Conductor, University of Illinois Chamber Strings, April 27, 2021
CPE Bach: Sinfonia in B minor
Shostakovich: Chamber Symphony, Op. 110a
Walker: Lyric for Strings
Wiren: String Serenade
Guest conductor, Lyric Theater @ Illinois, March 2, 2021.
Samuel Barber: Vanessa
University of Illinois Symphony Orchestra and student soloists
Guest Conductor, University of Illinois Chamber Strings, March 23, 2021.
Mozart: Eine Kleine Nacht Musik
Jesse Montgomery: Starburst
Suk: String Serenade
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ENGAGEMENTS 2020
Acting Music Director/Guest conductor: University of Illinois Symphony Orchestra, Fall 2020:
Wagner: Siegfried Idyll
Beethoven: Symphony No. 1
Dvorak: String Serenade
Guest conductor/Finalist, Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra, Mattie Kelly Arts Center, October 24, 2020.
Bernstein: Three Dance Episodes from On the Town
Copland: Clarinet Concerto
Rachmaninov: Symphonic Dances.
Guest Conductor, Toledo Symphony, Young Artists Debut Concert, St. John XIII Church, January 24, 2020.
Featuring music of Russel Peck and the Winners of the Toledo Symphony League Young Artists Competition.
Guest Conductor,Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Ferguson Center for the Arts, November 2, 2020.
Sensory friendly concert featuring Debussy Prelude to an Afternoon of a Faun, Mozart Eine Kleine Nacht Musik, George Walker Lyric for Strings.
Assistant Conductor, Florida Grand Opera, Don Giovanni, October 23-Dec.20, 2019.
Guest Conductor, Redeemer Chorus and members of the Venice Symphony, December 15, Church of the Redeemer, 2019
Handel’s Messiah, Part I.
Guest Conductor, Choral Artists of Sarasota with members of the Sarasota Orchestra, December 22, 2019
Featuring music of James Grant, Daniel Pinkham, Julian Wachner and Daniel Moe.
Orlando Contemporary Chamber Orchestra, The Abbey, Orlando, FL, September 12, 2019.
Music from the Video Games: Dead Cells and Wizard of Legend.
Orlando Contemporary Chamber Orchestra, Wayne Densch Theater, Orlando, FL August 17
Featuring music of local Orlando composers Jamie Wehr, Troy Gifford and New York based composer Randall Woolf.
Los Angeles Conducting Competition, Glendale Performing Arts Center, August 10
Beethoven Symphony No. 3, “Eroica”, mvt. I.
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Kleinhans Music Hall, May 3
Music of Pink Floyd and the Machine
Greater Buffalo Youth Orchestra/Buffalo Philharmonic Side by Side, Kleinhans Music Hall, April 28
Mahler: Symphony No. 1
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Kleinhans Music Hall, April 7
Family Concert: Around the World with the BPO
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Kleinhans Music Hall, March 13
West Side Public School Project:
Copland, Fanfare for the Common Man
Dvorak, Cello Concerto, Mvt. I
Peter Boyer, Ellis Island: A Dream of America
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Kleinhans Music Hall, February 7
Education Link Up Concert: “Orchestra Moves”
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Kleinhans Music Hall, February 10
Family Concert: Collaboration with Platypus Theatre, “Presto Mambo”
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Kleinhans Music Hall, February 23
Pops Concert: The Music of Billy Joel, Elton John and more, featuring Michael Cavanaugh
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Kleinhans Music Hall, March 4
Family Concert: Britten’s Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Kleinhans Music Hall, March 16
Pops Concert: The World of Oz
Buffalo Philharmonic Florida Tour, Cover Conductor for Maestra JoAnn Falletta, March 29-April 4, 2019
Borodin, Overture to Prince Igor
Brahms, Piano Concerto No. 2, Fabio Bidini, piano
Prokofiev, Selections from Romeo and Juliet
Khatchaturian, Waltz from Masquerade Suite