Conductor Biography

Conductor

Scott Terrell

Beginning January 2021, Scott Terrell is the newly named Director of Orchestral Studies at Louisiana State University (LSU), following two decades of teaching and conducting including at the Aspen Music Festival and School. He was Music Director of the Lexington Philharmonic from 2009-2019, where he transformed the orchestra with imaginative programs, engaging presence, and artistic excellence.

As an international guest conductor, recent debuts included the Pittsburgh Symphony, San Diego Symphony, Orquesta Filarmónica de Bogotá, and Fort Worth Symphony. In 2021/22, Scott will lead the Rochester Philharmonic, Baltimore Symphony, Toronto Symphony, Mostly Modern Festival, and a return to the Aspen Music Festival. He has conducted orchestras worldwide including the Philadelphia Orchestra, Houston Symphony, St. Louis Symphony, Vancouver Symphony, National Arts Centre Orchestra, Opera Colorado, Opera Hong Kong, Colorado Symphony, Arizona Opera, Minnesota Opera, Minnesota Orchestra, Rotterdam Philharmonic, Hong Kong Sinfonietta, Milwaukee Symphony, and the Spoleto Festival.

Scott was Music Director of the Lexington Philharmonic for a transformative decade in the organization’s history. He re-invigorated and raised the artistic level of the ensemble, expanded collaborations, and increased audience and community support. He visioned and endowed a Composer-in-Residence. The orchestra was awarded numerous Copland Awards, highlighting his ongoing commitment to contemporary American composers. He also presented many innovative theatrical projects during his tenure that helped significantly to grow audiences. They included Philip Glass’ Icarus at the Edge of Time, Peter Boyer’s The Dream of Ellis Island, Christopher Theofanidis’ The Legend of the Northern Lights, and Charlie Chaplin’s Gold Rush. In addition, he initiated an Artist-in-Residence partnership with the University of Kentucky Medical Center – bringing artists Midori, Johannes Moser, Inon Barnatan, Simone Porter, Pablo SainzVillegas, Time for Three, and the Canadian Brass.

He served as Resident Conductor and Director of Education for the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, and prior to that was Assistant Conductor of Minnesota Orchestra. A native of Michigan, he is a graduate of Western Michigan University, and the University of Minnesota in orchestral conducting. Scott was chosen as a fellowship conductor for the inaugural season of the American Academy of Conducting at the Aspen Music Festival under Music Director, David Zinman. At Aspen, he was awarded the prestigious Conducting Prize from David Zinman, an award recognizing exemplary musicianship and promise.

When not teaching or conducting, Scott is an avid golfer (and golf fan), biker, runner, and hiker.

Scott’s website: www.scottaterrell.com.