Jed Gaylin, Music Director
photo by Alan Kolc
"...a conductor who knows exactly what he wants..."
—Łódź Philharmonic, Poland
"Jed Gaylin's conducting was consistently
impressive, with a propulsive sweep that allowed the lyricism to
linger."
—Baltimore Sun
"Above all, one senses the absolute devotion
with which the orchestra follows him."
—Basler Zeitung, Switzerland
In the Americas, Europe, and Asia, Jed Gaylin is praised for performances characterized by insight, powerful sound, precision, expansive phrasing, and conviction. As Hopkins Symphony Orchestra Music Director, he has forged a strong bond between the HSO and Baltimore life since 1993. Now in his 17th season, Mr. Gaylin has given the HSO a reputation for possessing the precision, artistry, and zeal to bring musically and intellectually stimulating concerts to life. The orchestra has been chosen for repeat engagements with violinist Hilary Hahn, and has been commissioning new works since 1992, many from Maryland-based composers. Mr. Gaylin’s special ability to excite young listeners about music makes HSO’s annual kids’ concert a Telly-Award winning hit.
Since 1997, Mr. Gaylin has also been Music Director of the acclaimed Bay-Atlantic Symphony, where he is credited with forging a formidable ensemble vital to the cultural landscape of southern New Jersey. Mr. Gaylin is Principal Conductor of the prestigious Cape May Music Festival, where the Bay-Atlantic Symphony has been orchestra in residence since 2003.
A sought-after guest conductor worldwide, Mr. Gaylin has been Principal Guest Conductor of the National Film and Radio Philharmonic (Beijing, China) since 2007. He was Principal Guest Conductor of the Sibiu State Philharmonic (Romania) from 2002-06. He has also led the Shanghai Conservatory Orchestra, Bucharest Radio Orchestra, Academia del Gran Teatre del Liceu (Barcelona, Spain) for repeat engagements, Łódź Philharmonic and Pomorska Philharmonic (Poland), Gnessin Institute Orchestra and Moscow Chamber Symphony (Russia), Orquesta Sinfonica de Guanajuato (Mexico), Orvieto Festival Orchestra (Italy), Naples Philharmonic (Florida), Nashua Symphony Orchestra (New Hampshire), and Wheeling Symphony (West Virginia).
Mr. Gaylin has become a featured conductor at Baltimore’s Opera Vivente: In addition to an internationally acclaimed Don Giovanni in 2008, he conducted a well-received Rigoletto and the highly successful North American premiere of Jonathan Dove’s Tobias and the Angel. In May 2010, he will conduct The Magic Flute.
Among Mr. Gaylin’s television and radio broadcasts have been National Public Radio’s Weekend Edition airing the Bay-Atlantic Symphony to more than four million listeners, as well as the Voice of America throughout Europe and the former Soviet Union, Bucharest Radio Orchestra, and the National Radio and Film Philharmonic in Beijing.
Mr. Gaylin has received numerous conducting awards. He was chosen to work with Leonard Slatkin and the National Symphony in the first National Conducting Institute. He also received a National Endowment for the Arts grant, a Conducting Fellowship at the Aspen Music Festival, the Presser Music Award, and membership in the National Musical Honors Society.
Mr. Gaylin earned both a Bachelor of Music in piano and a Master of Music in conducting at the Oberlin Conservatory, and a Doctor of Musical Arts in conducting at the Peabody Conservatory. His conducting teachers have included Frederik Prausnitz, Leonard Slatkin, Jahja Ling, Murry Sidlin, Paul Vermel, and Michel Singher, and, for piano, Lydia Frumkin. Mr. Gaylin lives in Baltimore with his wife, writer Lia Purpura, and their son.
Learn more about Mr. Gaylin at jedgaylin.com.
updated
August 2, 2009