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Brett Mitchell

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Brett Mitchell
Mitchell in 2016
Born
Brett William Mitchell

(1979-07-02) July 2, 1979 (age 45)
Edmonds, Washington, U.S.A.
EducationWestern Washington University (BM)
University of Texas at Austin (MM), (DMA)
Occupations
  • conductor
  • composer
  • pianist
Years active1995–present
Organizations
Websitebrettmitchellconductor.com

Brett Mitchell (born July 2, 1979) is an American conductor, composer, and pianist. He is currently the Music Director of the Pasadena Symphony[1] and Artistic Director & Conductor of the Sunriver Music Festival.[2]

Early life and education

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1979–1997: Early life and musical beginnings

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Mitchell began piano studies at age six, and studied piano, percussion, and saxophone throughout elementary, middle, and high school.[3] He gave his first public performances as a conductor while at Lynnwood High School in 1995 at the age of 16.[4]

1997–2005: College years

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Mitchell began undergraduate work on a degree in music composition at Western Washington University in 1997. He studied under professors such as Roger Briggs. He was chosen as the university's Young Alumnus of the Year in 2014.[5]

The University of Texas at Austin

Upon completion of his Bachelor of Music in June 2001, he moved to Austin, Texas, to study orchestral conducting with Kevin Noe at the University of Texas at Austin. For the next four years, he would serve as Music Director of the University Orchestra and sometime cover conductor for the Austin Symphony. Mitchell graduated from the University of Texas with a Master of Music in 2003 and a Doctor of Musical Arts in 2005. His work with Noe led to his employment with the Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble from 2002-06 as their Associate Conductor, where his responsibilities included leading subscription programs,[6][7] many world and U.S. premieres,[8][9] numerous multi-media productions,[10] and several recording projects.

Continued studies

In addition to his graduate work, Mitchell also studied with conductors outside the university, most notably Kurt Masur, with whom he began studies in 2004.[11][12] In early 2008, Masur selected Mitchell to receive the inaugural Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy Scholarship award, entailing intensive, one-on-one study with Masur, and assisting him with concerts in Europe and America. Mitchell was also invited to conduct the National Symphony Orchestra and to study with Leonard Slatkin as part of the 2005 National Conducting Institute,[13] and was invited by Slatkin to work with the NSO again in 2006. He studied with Lorin Maazel, David Robertson, Gerard Schwarz, Gunther Schuller, Marin Alsop, Jorma Panula, and Larry Rachleff. Mitchell was the youngest of ten semifinalists from a pool of over 500 applicants in the Third International Conductors' Competition Sir Georg Solti in 2006.[14]

Career

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2005–13: Rise to recognition

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Northern Illinois University

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After completing his training, Mitchell accepted a position as Director of Orchestras, Music Director of the opera program, and Professor of Conducting at Northern Illinois University from 2005 to 2007. He led the Philharmonic in six concerts each year, and led his first two opera productions during his tenure: Igor Stravinsky’s The Rake’s Progress and Mark Adamo's Little Women. The Philharmonic was also invited to perform at the Illinois Music Educators Association's All-State Conference for the first time in over a decade in January 2007.[15] His tenure there saw the Philharmonic's first performance of a Gustav Mahler symphony in a dozen years (Symphony No. 1 in April 2006)[16] and their return to the recording studio, recording Sergei Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 in May 2007. Mitchell ended his time at NIU with a week-long festival devoted to the music of Kevin Puts.[17]

Orchestre National de France

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While teaching at NIU, Mitchell was invited by his mentor Kurt Masur to audition to become Assistant Conductor of the Orchestre National de France. In February 2006, Mitchell successfully auditioned and was named to the post.[18] During his three-year tenure, he conducted the orchestra and assisted Masur and guest conductors such as Seiji Ozawa and Daniele Gatti at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées and on tour.

Houston Symphony

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In February 2007, Mitchell was appointed American Conducting Fellow of the Houston Symphony by Hans Graf.[19] In that role, he led the orchestra in several dozen concerts—including on all subscription series—in Jones Hall and throughout the greater Houston area each season. His title was augmented to Assistant Conductor/American Conducting Fellow in June 2008;[20] prior to his final season with the orchestra (2010–11), his title was modified again to Assistant Conductor, reflecting the end of his fellowship with the League of American Orchestras. During his four-year tenure with the Houston Symphony (which ended in May 2011), he led the orchestra in over one hundred performances, several of which were broadcast nationwide on SymphonyCast and Performance Today. Since that time, Mitchell has returned frequently to the Houston Symphony as a guest conductor.

Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra

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In May 2010, after a two-year search including more than 150 candidates from around the world, Mitchell was appointed the ninth Music Director of Michigan's Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra.[21] He took the helm of the orchestra at the outset of its 75th-anniversary season in September 2010, and led the orchestra in its complete series of classical, pops, and education concerts throughout his initial three-year contract and the extension that followed. Mitchell ultimately served as Music Director of the SBSO for five seasons, resigning at the end of 2014-15 season due to increased obligations with the Cleveland Orchestra and various guest conducting responsibilities.

University of Houston

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Mitchell began working with the Moores Opera Center at the Moores School of Music of the University of Houston in April 2010 as a guest conductor, and eventually accepted a post as Music Director of the program during the 2012-13 season.[22] Over the course of his three seasons, he led eight productions spanning core repertory works of Mozart and Verdi to contemporary works by Robert Aldridge (composer), Daniel Catán, and Daron Hagen.

2013–21: Career expansion

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The Cleveland Orchestra

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In January 2013, Mitchell was invited by Franz Welser-Möst to become Assistant Conductor of the Cleveland Orchestra, a position he assumed at the beginning of the 2013-14 season.[23] At the conclusion of his initial two-year term, he was promoted to Associate Conductor[24] — a title held by only four previous conductors in the Orchestra's 98-year history and not since Jahja Ling in the 1984-85 season—and his contract was extended for an additional two years through the 2016-17 season. Mitchell has returned frequently to the orchestra as a guest conductor since his tenure, leading his 150th performance with the ensemble in December 2023.

Through his tenure with the Cleveland Orchestra, he concurrently served as Music Director of the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra, increasing the group's commitment to contemporary repertoire[25] and leading them on a four-city tour of China in June 2015.[26] Mitchell concluded his tenure with both organizations in September 2017.

In September 2016, during his final season in Cleveland, he signed with manager Linda Marder of CM Artists New York to provide worldwide representation.[27]

Colorado Symphony

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After making a highly successful debut with the Colorado Symphony in July 2016,[28] Mitchell was named the orchestra's next music director in September 2016.[29][30][31][32] Mitchell held the title of Music Director Designate during the 2016-17 season, and began his four-season tenure as Music Director with the 2017-18 season. During his first several seasons as Music Director, Mitchell collaborated with such celebrated soloists as Yo-Yo Ma, Renée Fleming, Itzhak Perlman, Bela Fleck, and Leslie Odom Jr. After the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons were curtailed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Mitchell stepped down from the orchestra after five seasons at the helm in June 2021.[33]

2022–present: Pasadena Symphony and Sunriver Music Festival

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Sunriver Music Festival

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In September 2021, after leading several subscription programs on their 2021 summer season, Mitchell was named Artistic Director & Conductor of the Sunriver Music Festival in Bend, Oregon.[34] Mitchell began an initial three-year term in 2022, and extended his contract in 2024 for an additional four years through the 2028 season.[35]

Pasadena Symphony

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Mitchell first led California’s Pasadena Symphony and Pops as a guest conductor in March 2022, and returned to lead the ensemble again in October 2023. Following those performances, Mitchell was named the orchestra’s Music Director in March 2024, becoming just the 6th artistic leader since the orchestra was founded in 1928.[36][37][38] His five-year tenure begins with the 2024-25 season and runs through the orchestra’s centennial in 2028-29.[39][40]

Guest Conducting

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In recent seasons, Mitchell has guest conducted the Cleveland Orchestra, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Grant Park Symphony Orchestra, Houston Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic[41], Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Oregon Symphony, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, San Antonio Symphony, San Francisco Symphony[42], and Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. Recent summer festival appearances include the Grant Park Music Festival, National Repertory Orchestra, Strings Music Festival, Sarasota Music Festival, and Interlochen Center for the Arts. Mitchell regularly collaborates with the world’s leading soloists, including Rudolf Buchbinder, Kirill Gerstein, James Ehnes, Augustin Hadelich, Leila Josefowicz, and Alisa Weilerstein.

Mitchell made his European debut in 2004 in a series of three concerts with Romania's Brasov Philharmonic (to which he returned in February 2009), and made his Latin American debut in 2005 with the Orquesta Filarmónica_de la UNAM Philharmonic Orchestra in Mexico City as part of the Eduardo Mata Conducting Competition.

YouTube Artist

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In June 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mitchell began recording videos at the piano from his home and releasing them via his YouTube channel. He has since released well over 270 videos (as of September 2024) with a particular focus on original arrangements of film music, many presented in synchronization with the original, corresponding clips. Mitchell has also used this outlet to present his own works as a composer, including several pieces written for his children upon their births in 2021 and 2024.

References

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  1. ^ "Pasadena Symphony Appoints Brett Mitchell Music Director" (Press release). Pasadena, California: Pasadena Symphony and Pops. March 22, 2024. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  2. ^ "Patrons, musicians help select Mitchell as new maestro for Sunriver Music Festival". KTVZ News Channel 21. September 2, 2021. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  3. ^ "Brett Mitchell ('01) earns Young Alumnus of the Year". WWU CFPA News. Bellingham, Washington. February 9, 2019. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  4. ^ "Brett Mitchell marks milestone anniversary of conducting debut with multimedia release". brettmitchellconductor.com. October 12, 2020. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  5. ^ "Brett Mitchell ('01) earns Young Alumnus of the Year". WWU CFPA News. Bellingham, Washington. February 9, 2019. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  6. ^ Mark Kanny (August 10, 2002). "New Music conductor takes on daunting 20th-century classic". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
  7. ^ Mark Kanny (July 5, 2004). "Good music takes center stage in Saturday night concert". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
  8. ^ Jane Vranish (July 10, 2006). "PNME stresses music over theater with premiere of Stock's "Hostage"". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved August 27, 2008.
  9. ^ Mark Kanny (July 28, 2003). "Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble's concert richly rewards patience of overflow crowd". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
  10. ^ Mark Kanny (August 8, 2005). "Ensemble season finale a feast for eyes, ears". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
  11. ^ Barrymore Laurence Scherer (April 1, 2004). "Following his lead: young conductors learn from Masur". Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on October 7, 2008. Retrieved August 27, 2008.
  12. ^ Robert Faires (March 26, 2004). "Classical's Future". Austin Chronicle. Retrieved August 27, 2008.
  13. ^ Cecelia Porter (May 23, 2005). "Young Conductors Show Off Their Training With the NSO". Washington Post. Retrieved August 27, 2008.
  14. ^ Felix Wadewitz (September 8, 2006). "Nachwuchsdirigenten". Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. Retrieved August 27, 2008.
  15. ^ Mark McGowan (January 18, 2007). "NIU Philharmonic invited to perform concert at Illinois Music Educators Association convention". NIU News Release. Archived from the original on February 16, 2008. Retrieved August 27, 2008.
  16. ^ Mark McGowan (April 24, 2006). "NIU Philharmonic to perform Mahler's beloved first symphony". Northern Today. Archived from the original on September 6, 2008. Retrieved August 27, 2008.
  17. ^ Mark McGowan (April 9, 2007). "Noted composer Kevin Puts to visit School of Music". Northern Today. Archived from the original on February 16, 2008. Retrieved August 27, 2008.
  18. ^ Mark McGowan (March 6, 2006). "School of Music professor of conducting to help lead Orchestre National de France". Northern Today. Archived from the original on February 16, 2008. Retrieved August 27, 2008.
  19. ^ Bruce Robinson (June 10, 2007). "Houston Symphony names newest conducting fellow". myauditions.com. Retrieved August 27, 2008.
  20. ^ Charles Ward (June 10, 2008). "New symphony assistant conductor". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved August 27, 2008.
  21. ^ Sue White (May 8, 2010). "Brett Mitchell to lead Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra". Saginaw News. Retrieved December 13, 2010.
  22. ^ Biography Archived 2012-04-18 at the Wayback Machine, brettmitchellconductor.com; retrieved September 19, 2012.
  23. ^ Zachary Lewis (February 15, 2013). "Cleveland Orchestra appoints Brett Mitchell assistant conductor". Cleveland Plain Dealer. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  24. ^ Zachary Lewis (May 13, 2015). "Cleveland Orchestra assistant conductor Brett Mitchell lands contract extension and promotion". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
  25. ^ Zachary Lewis (August 12, 2015). "Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra takes up American, contemporary music on 2015-16 season". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
  26. ^ Zachary Lewis (June 9, 2015). "Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra looks to draw closer on upcoming tour of China". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
  27. ^ "Conductor Brett Mitchell". Retrieved June 18, 2019.
  28. ^ Ray Mark Rinaldi (May 26, 2016). "Colorado classical: Aspen and Vail add orchestras, Colorado Music Fest goes to the velodrome". The Denver Post. Retrieved June 18, 2019.
  29. ^ Zachary Lewis (September 12, 2016). "Cleveland Orchestra associate conductor Brett Mitchell scores top post at Colorado Symphony". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved June 18, 2019.
  30. ^ Brad Turner (September 12, 2016). "Colorado Symphony Introduces New Music Director Brett Mitchell". Colorado Matters. Retrieved June 18, 2019.
  31. ^ Ray Mark Rinaldi (September 13, 2016). "Colorado Symphony targeting younger audiences with new music director". Colorado Matters. Retrieved June 18, 2019.
  32. ^ Mike Telin (September 20, 2016). "Brett Mitchell to take the helm of the Colorado Symphony". Colorado Matters. Retrieved June 18, 2019.
  33. ^ John Wenzel (November 17, 2021). "An anonymous $2 million donation has paid Colorado Symphony salaries through summer 2021". The Denver Post. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  34. ^ "Patrons, musicians help select Mitchell as new maestro for Sunriver Music Festival". KTVZ News Channel 21. September 2, 2021. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  35. ^ David Jasper (August 6, 2024). "Sunriver Music Festival to have doubly classical year in Central Oregon". Bend Bulletin. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  36. ^ "Brett Mitchell Is New Pasadena Symphony Music Director". Colorado Boulevard. March 22, 2024. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  37. ^ "Pasadena Symphony announces Brett Mitchell as new music director". HeySoCal. March 25, 2024. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  38. ^ "Pasadena Symphony Names Brett Mitchell as Its Next Music Director". Pasadena Now. March 27, 2024. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  39. ^ Victoria Thomas (April 6, 2024). "Brett Mitchell is Listening". Local News Pasadena. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  40. ^ Hayden Dobb (April 11, 2024). "Major Music Changes: Pasadena Symphony appoints Brett Mitchell as new music director". Pasadena Weekly. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  41. ^ "An American in Paris". Retrieved June 18, 2019.
  42. ^ "Mendelssohn Violin Concerto". Retrieved June 18, 2019.
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