GCTYO is proud to announce the formation of the Greater Connecticut Youth Orchestras Conducting Fellowship Program.
The GCTYO Fellowship program will provide young, up-and-coming conductors an opportunity to gain valuable experience working within a youth orchestra setting. Tailored to each individual, the program will allow fellows to explore areas of the GCTYO program which best suit their interests and development as educators and musicians. Advanced teaching skills, conducting, rehearsal techniques, and youth orchestra management are areas in which participants can choose to focus.
GCTYO will benefit as well. Each conducting fellow will bring their own unique perspective, experience and talent to GCTYO students and the community. Conducting fellows will be mentored by Christopher Hisey, Music Director and Principal and Chamber Orchestra Conductor, as well as by other staff conductors. “Having conductors who are also experienced educators is one of the cornerstones of our program. We had many wonderfully talented conductors apply but not all of them were educators. This Fellowship Program gives an opportunity to young conductors who want to work with kids a chance to gain experience and learn how to teach,” said Mr. Hisey.
Glenn Alexander II is GCTYO’s first conducting fellow for the 2021-22 season.
A versatile young conductor and pianist whose musicality crosses many genres, Glenn Alexander II is known for his unique and passionate interpretations of the orchestral repertoire.
Past performance highlights include serving as assistant music director at Prairie View A&M University for several school productions including “A Soundtrack to Black History” and “Black Nativity.” Mr. Alexander was also appointed as student conductor over both the University Concert Chorale and University Orchestra. As a pianist, he was selected by Prairie View A&M University to perform for Steinway & Sons President, Ron Losby, when Prairie View became an “All-Steinway School.”
Beyond classical music, Mr. Alexander recently co-produced a nationally renowned EP, “Kim Cruse.” He is also an accomplished gospel musician, having served as a pianist and organist for many congregations.
Mr. Alexander is pursuing a Professional Studies Certificate in conducting at the Manhattan School of Music under George Manahan and is a Fellow in Chicago Sinfonietta’s renowned Project Inclusion Freeman Conducting Fellowship program under conductor Mei-Ann Chen. He holds a Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting from the Bard College Conservatory of Music and a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Prairie View A&M University. His teachers and mentors include James Bagwell, Damien Sneed and Dr. Vicki A. Seldon. He is a brother of both Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America. He currently resides in New York City.
Mr. Alexander will not be the only new staff member at GCTYO. After conducting an extensive search which drew resumes internationally and throughout the United States, GCTYO has so far hired five new musician educators for the 2021-22 season. In addition to its core program, GCTYO will resume free after school lessons for children with little or no access to music education through its Daniel E. Offutt III Community Outreach Program.
