Michael Palmer will lead WSU’s orchestra program

By Julie Rausch

Michael Palmer, former Wichita Symphony music director and conductor from 1977-90, has agreed to a one-year appointment to lead Wichita State University’s orchestra program.

After serving as WSU’s director of orchestras for one year, Harry Davidson resigned a dual role in May as director of orchestras and associate conductor for the Wichita Symphony for a position at Duke University.

Palmer will continue his schedule of professional engagements in Europe and the United States including appearances as guest conductor and as music director and conductor of The American Sinfonietta.

"Michael will fulfill a very important need to maintain the integrity of WSU’s symphony orchestra program," said Bill Thomson, WSU’s School of Music chair. "His vast professional experience will greatly enhance the educational experience for our students and heighten the community’s cultural appreciation."

In 1991, Palmer founded The American Sinfonietta, a 40-piece orchestra of virtuoso players from throughout the United States. The American Sinfonietta tours Europe on a regular basis, performing in the leading European concert halls and receiving ample acclaim.

Palmer’s career began at age 21 as assistant conductor with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. He founded and conducted the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra. In 1975, Palmer was honored as Exxon Arts Endowment Conductor and was soon in demand with orchestras throughout the United States. He was guest conductor of the Houston Symphony Orchestra for three years while continuing his post in Atlanta. He also was named co-principal guest conductor with the Denver Symphony Orchestra through 1982.

After serving with the Wichita Symphony for 13 years, Palmer became music director and conductor of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra. His tenure in New Haven was recognized for its artistic accomplishment and for building the orchestra to one of the finest of its kind in the nation. Palmer conducted the NHSO during its centennial year in a critically acclaimed debut on the visiting orchestra series at Carnegie Hall.

In 1993, Palmer became artistic director of the Bellingham Festival of Music in Washington where The American Sinfonietta has its summer home. He and the orchestra have established a performance academy to train talented, young preprofessional musicians.

Palmer has guest conducted orchestras throughout the United States including the Rochester Philharmonic, the Indianapolis Symphony, the Kansas City Philharmonic and the San Diego Symphony. He has recorded for Summit and New World labels.

Palmer is a gifted pianist who performs regularly in chamber music settings. His major teachers were Wolfgang Vacano and the renowned Julius Herford, whose students included Leonard Bernstein, Robert Shaw and Lukas Foss.

"I remember my time in Wichita very fondly," said Palmer. "I’m looking forward to spending time with my former colleagues and with the students of the university."