ABOUT SCOTT

Scott Terrell has built a major conducting career through imaginative programs, an engaging presence, and a determined passion for artistic excellence, teaching, and viability. An ardent champion of new music and diversity of repertoire, he was a visionary conductor whose artistry and intellect has engaged musicians, students, and audiences. Maestro Terrell is Associate Professor of Orchestral Studies, holding the Virginia Martin Howard Chair, at the Louisiana State University School of Music.

In great demand as a guest conductor, Mr. Terrell recently led programs with the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Columbia, Baltimore Symphony, San Diego Symphony, Orquesta Filarmónica de Bogotá, Fort Worth Symphony, and the Rochester Philharmonic. Upcoming 2023-24 engagements include his debut at the Ravinia Festival and return stints with the Atlanta Symphony and Colorado Symphony.

Passionate about working with aspiring musicians and educators, Terrell is an active guest clinician, teacher, and adjudicator. He has been a regular guest conductor and instructor at the Aspen Music Festival, leading various concert programs as well as guiding and mentoring conducting students. In demand as an educator and teacher of young musicians, he has conducted and presented at educational and honor orchestra events in Colorado, New York, Minnesota, Texas, Louisiana, Michigan, and Massachusetts.

Maestro Terrell has conducted many prestigious international organizations including Philadelphia Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony, Houston Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, Vancouver Symphony, National Arts Centre Orchestra Opera Colorado, Opera Hong Kong, Arizona Opera, Minnesota Opera, Minnesota Orchestra, Rotterdam Philharmonic, Hong Kong Sinfonietta, Milwaukee Symphony, Spoleto Festival, Naples Philharmonic, Eugene Symphony, Richmond Symphony, and the Mostly Modern Festival.

Having a strong affinity for vocal and operatic repertoire, Maestro Terrell has led a wealth of projects abroad. Collaborations with Kentucky Opera have included Stephen Paulus’ oratorio, To Be Certain of the Dawn, Bernstein’s Trouble in Tahiti, Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel and Osvaldo Golijov’s Ainadamar. Operatic engagements have included Opera Hong Kong gala concerts of Bernstein, and Arizona Opera’s production of The Magic Flute. He conducted Piazzolla’s Maria de Buenos Aires at Fort Worth Opera, Aspen Music Festival and Arizona Opera as well as Aspen’s concert productions of Bernstein’s Trouble in Tahiti and Missy Mazzoli’s groundbreaking work, Proving Up.

Mr. Terrell was Music Director of the Lexington Philharmonic for a transformative decade (2009-2019) in the organization’s history. He re-invigorated and raised the artistic level of the ensemble, diversified programming, expanded collaborations, and increased community support. The orchestra was awarded numerous Copland Awards, highlighting his ongoing commitment to contemporary American composers such as Missy Mazzoli, Jennifer Higdon, Gabriela Lena Frank, Joan Tower, Christopher Rouse, John Adams, Michael Gandolfi, Philip Glass, Mason Bates, Roberto Sierra, Osvaldo Golijov, and Chris Brubeck. The orchestra was also broadcast on NPR’s Performance Today for the first time in its history during his tenure.

Previously, Maestro Terrell 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, Maestro Terrell is a graduate of Western Michigan University, and the University of Minnesota in orchestral conducting. Terrell 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. He has participated in master classes with such distinguished conductors as Leonard Slatkin, Robert Spano, Jorma Panula, and David Robertson. He was awarded the prestigious Aspen Conducting Prize from David Zinman, an award recognizing exemplary musicianship and promise.