Meet the Music Director
Meet the Musicians
Board and Advisory Trustees
Robert Moody
Music Director
Instrument: Conductor
Robert Moody is entering his second season as Music Director of the Portland Symphony, having completed a thrilling inaugural season marked by universal critical and audience acclaim.
Moody also has the honor of serving as Music Director for the Winston-Salem Symphony (since 2005) and Artistic Director for Arizona Musicfest (since 2007).
Born and raised in Greenville, SC, Moody took up the cello in the public school system (Duncan Chapel Elementary) in the 4th grade. His voice and cello studies throughout high school (including three years of study at the Greenville County Fine Arts Center, one of the first public high schools for the arts in the nation) took him to Furman University, where he received a Bachelor's Degree in Church Music, with performing emphasis in both voice and cello. He then completed his Master of Music Degree in Conducting at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, where he studied with Donald Neuen.
Moody is a frequent guest conductor with orchestras across the United States. In 2009 he completed a ten-year tenure as head of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic's "Discovery" concert series. Guest conducting appearances include the symphony orchestras of Houston, Indianapolis, Detroit, Seattle, Memphis, Ft. Worth, Virginia, San Antonio, Buffalo, Charleston, Naples, Anchorage, and many more. Summer festival appearances include Santa Fe Opera, Spoleto Festival USA, Brevard Music Center, Eastern Music Festival, PortOpera, and Skaneateles Festival.
A champion of new music, Moody is proud to have played an instrumental role in the commissioning and premiere performances of several important new works for orchestra. These include several works of composer Mason Bates (Free Variations for Orchestra, Ode, Rusty Air in Carolina, and a new work to be premiered on AZ Musicfest's 20th anniversary season in 2011.) And also the Sabar concerto for African Drum Ensemble and Orchestra, composed by James DeMars.
Moody's work can also be heard on three compact disc recordings: he collaborated with the Canadian Brass for their "Bach" and "Legends" CDs. He is also the conductor for the CD "4th World," highlighting the music of Native American recording artist R. Carlos Nakai (available on the Canyon Record label.)
A strong believer in community growth and enrichment, Moody is a member of the Rotary Club of Winston-Salem, NC, and serves on the boards of the NW North Carolina YMCA, and AIDS Care Services of Forsyth County.
When not making music, one is most likely to find Robert Moody snow-skiing, hiking, running, or involved in other outdoor activities. He was a founding member of The Phoenix Symphony Running Club, completed his first marathon in 2004, and participates annually in both the "Mistletoe Half Marathon" in NC and the "Beach to Beacon" 10K in Maine.
For more information on Maestro Moody, check out his website at www.RAMMaestro.com.
Moody also has the honor of serving as Music Director for the Winston-Salem Symphony (since 2005) and Artistic Director for Arizona Musicfest (since 2007).
Born and raised in Greenville, SC, Moody took up the cello in the public school system (Duncan Chapel Elementary) in the 4th grade. His voice and cello studies throughout high school (including three years of study at the Greenville County Fine Arts Center, one of the first public high schools for the arts in the nation) took him to Furman University, where he received a Bachelor's Degree in Church Music, with performing emphasis in both voice and cello. He then completed his Master of Music Degree in Conducting at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, where he studied with Donald Neuen.
Moody is a frequent guest conductor with orchestras across the United States. In 2009 he completed a ten-year tenure as head of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic's "Discovery" concert series. Guest conducting appearances include the symphony orchestras of Houston, Indianapolis, Detroit, Seattle, Memphis, Ft. Worth, Virginia, San Antonio, Buffalo, Charleston, Naples, Anchorage, and many more. Summer festival appearances include Santa Fe Opera, Spoleto Festival USA, Brevard Music Center, Eastern Music Festival, PortOpera, and Skaneateles Festival.
A champion of new music, Moody is proud to have played an instrumental role in the commissioning and premiere performances of several important new works for orchestra. These include several works of composer Mason Bates (Free Variations for Orchestra, Ode, Rusty Air in Carolina, and a new work to be premiered on AZ Musicfest's 20th anniversary season in 2011.) And also the Sabar concerto for African Drum Ensemble and Orchestra, composed by James DeMars.
Moody's work can also be heard on three compact disc recordings: he collaborated with the Canadian Brass for their "Bach" and "Legends" CDs. He is also the conductor for the CD "4th World," highlighting the music of Native American recording artist R. Carlos Nakai (available on the Canyon Record label.)
A strong believer in community growth and enrichment, Moody is a member of the Rotary Club of Winston-Salem, NC, and serves on the boards of the NW North Carolina YMCA, and AIDS Care Services of Forsyth County.
When not making music, one is most likely to find Robert Moody snow-skiing, hiking, running, or involved in other outdoor activities. He was a founding member of The Phoenix Symphony Running Club, completed his first marathon in 2004, and participates annually in both the "Mistletoe Half Marathon" in NC and the "Beach to Beacon" 10K in Maine.
For more information on Maestro Moody, check out his website at www.RAMMaestro.com.
