Andrew Koehler, music director
Andrew Koehler, born in the Philadelphia area to Ukrainian parents, began his musical studies on the violin at the age of five. His first conducting experiences came through leading sectionals as concertmaster of the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra. Andrew then continued his interest in conducting while an undergraduate at Yale College, where he completed a B.A. in Music and German Studies, graduating with honors and distinction in both majors. In addition to his academic coursework, violin studies with the late Erick Friedman, and position as principal second violinist of the Yale Symphony Orchestra, Andrew served as assistant conductor of that latter organization, and as a principal conductor of both major student-led orchestras, the Berkeley Orchestra and the Yale Bach Society Orchestra. He studied privately with Ives scholar James Sinclair, organized numerous concerts with ad hoc ensembles, and engineered a partnership between the Bach Society and the Yale College Opera Company, which resulted in a fully-staged production. For these efforts, Andrew was awarded the Joseph Seldin Memorial Prize in his senior year by the Department of Music and the Council of Masters. Upon graduating, he attended the Aspen Festival’s American Academy of Conducting, working closely with David Zinman, Michael Stern, and Jorma Panula, among others. Afterwards, under the auspices of a Fulbright Grant, Andrew spent two years in Vienna, studying at the Hochschule für Musik with Leopold Hager. During his time there, he was appointed music director of two separate ensembles: the Amerling Choir and the Academic Symphony Orchestra. Returning to America, Andrew completed his Masters degree at Northwestern’s School of Music as a student of Victor Yampolsky. He has guest conducted the North Shore Chamber Orchestra, and, with only a weekend’s notice, the American Opera Group Orchestra. In 2004, Andrew was appointed Music Director of the Chamber Orchestra at the University of Chicago, significantly raising the level of playing in that ensemble and leading the Hyde Park Herald to call it the “most wonderful orchestra in recent memory.” At the 2006 Vakhtang Jordania International Conducting Competition, Andrew advanced to the final round and won the audience favorite prize. He joined the Kalamazoo College faculty this past fall, taking the position of assistant professor and director of orchestral activities.

           

Dalton Theater
The Kalamazoo College Light Fine Arts Building was completed in 1964 and is named for the Richard U. Light family. Of special interest is the large stained glass work in the lobby of the Fine Arts Building. It was designed and created by Fritz Bultmann, an internationally recognized artist who died shortly after the completion of the work in 1985. It was his last and most major work. Dalton Theater is the largest theater in the Light Fine Arts Building; the entrance is located in the main atrium.




           

History
Founded in 1994 by Dr. Barry Ross, the Kalamazoo College and Community Orchestra brings together students, faculty, amateur and professional musicians of all ages to perform great music. Having grown enormously since its inception, the ensemble is now of full symphonic proportions, and has been recognized as an arts organization of major importance in the greater Kalamazoo area. The orchestra generally plays three concerts per season, the programs of which are introduced by Andrew Koehler and Cara Lieurance on WMUK the week preceding the performance. It also boasts an active chamber music program that plays outreach concerts throughout the community. It has produced several CDs, appeared on CBS Sunday Morning, and worked with such renowned artists as Orli Shaham, Anthony Ross, Orion Weiss, Adam Neimann, Makoto Nakura, Todd Palmer, John Bruce Yeh and Richard Stoltzman. Dr. Ross, who also served as assistant conductor and concertmaster of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, retired from his position with the KCCO at the end of the 2005-2006 season. After a national search, Andrew Koehler was appointed in the fall of 2006 as the new music director of the KCCO.

           

Listen to the Orchestra
An excerpt from Rachmaninoff’s Isle of the Dead, recorded live from our December 1, 2007 concert: MP3 file

           

How to Join
An organization such as ours has constantly changing instrumentational needs. Any experienced player in the area who is interested in playing with us is encouraged to contact Andrew Koehler to schedule an audition. Auditions generally last no more than 10 minutes, and include a performance of your choosing and sightreading. For more information, or to schedule such an audition, please email the music director, Andrew Koehler at Andrew.Koehler@kzoo.edu.