Overview
Todd
Craven
Overview
Todd
Craven
“
I am driven by a deep passion for promoting orchestral music, with a particular emphasis on celebrating the works of living composers. My mission extends to cultivating young and diverse audiences, creating meaningful connections that introduce new people to the richness of this great art form.”
Todd Craven is a distinguished American conductor known for his innovative programming, engaging podium presence, and commitment to fostering collaboration within the musical community. As he enters his fourth season as Music Director/Conductor of the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra and his eighth season as Artistic Director of the Orlando Contemporary Chamber Orchestra, Craven continues to enhance audience engagement and champion the evolution of symphonic music in the 21st century. His creative approach introduces orchestral works to diverse audiences, making classical music accessible and relevant to contemporary life.
Craven’s recent engagements include performances with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra and the Orlando Philharmonic, where he has built positive relationships through multiple appearances. His debut with the Orlando Philharmonic at the Concert at the Springs led to subsequent re-engagements, including Symphony of Illusions with Michael Grandinetti and a collaboration with Jamie Bernstein at Steinmetz Hall. Additionally, Craven conducted Handel’s Messiah with the Jacksonville Symphony and led a series of sold-out holiday concerts with The Florida Orchestra in Tampa.
A versatile artist, Craven has shared the stage with renowned musicians such as operatic tenor Lawrence Brownlee, violinist Rachel Barton Pine, and pianist Ann-Marie McDermott. Todd has been integral in his support of recording projects with Eric Jacobsen, Gil Shaham, and Béla Fleck alongside the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, demonstrating his dedication to both tradition and innovation in classical music.
This season, Craven’s engagements include appearances with the Anderson Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Indiana, and the Goiânia Symphony Orchestra in Brazil, alongside continued work with the Orlando Philharmonic. His previous guest conducting includes performances with the Detroit Symphony, Toledo Symphony, Edmonton Symphony, Peabody Symphony Orchestra, and members of the Baltimore Symphony brass, among others.
A winner of the 2019 Los Angeles Conducting Competition, Craven previously served as Associate Conductor of the Buffalo Philharmonic, Assistant Conductor for the Florida Grand Opera, and Music Director of the University of Michigan Life Sciences Orchestra and Michigan Pops Orchestra. Before transitioning to conducting, Craven enjoyed a successful career as a prize-winning trumpet player, serving as Principal Trumpet of the Sarasota Orchestra and performing with renowned ensembles such as the New York Philharmonic and Cincinnati Symphony.
Mr Craven’s mentors include Kenneth Kiesler at the University of Michigan and Marin Alsop at the Peabody Conservatory. Other conducting mentors include Donald Schleicher, Larry Rachleff, JoAnn Falletta and William Wiedrich.
New Page
New Page
“ …. conductor Todd Craven provided a nuanced lead in his baton-less conducting. The poetry of his gestures neatly produced gratifying results”..- Sarasota Herald Tribune
“ Todd’s musical sensitivity, acute sense of rhythmic pulse, and charming personality contribute to his overall abilities as a Music Director/Conductor”..- Marin Alsop
“Todd is a deeply gifted conductor and has won the respect of the orchestra and audience here in Buffalo. His technique, stylistic understanding, knowledge of the score and communication skills are excellent”.. - JoAnn Falletta
Concerts
Concerts
Upcoming engagements 2025
Orchestra Indiana, Guest Conductor/Music Director Finalist
February 1, 2025 (concert cancelled/postponed)
https://orchestraindiana.org/events/guest-conductor-todd-craven/
“Let Your Heart Dance”
HECTOR BERLIOZ: Roman Carnival Overture
SERGEI RACHMANINOV: Symphonic Dances, op. 45
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LEONARD BERNSTEIN/arr. Mason: West Side Story Selections
RICHARD RODGERS/arr. Custer: The Carousel Waltz
RICHARD RODGERS/arr. Custer: My Funny Valentine
DUKE ELLINGTON/arr. Custer: Duke Ellington! Medley for Orchestra
JAMES HORNER/arr. Moss: The Titanic Medley
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Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra
February 22, 2025, Mattie Kelly Arts Center
Stars of Tomorrow: “The Roaring Twenties”
AUDREY KELLY: Speakeasy: Four Vignettes of the Roaring Twenties
TELEMANN: Oboe Concerto in G major
SIBELIUS: Violin Concerto in D minor, mvt. I
DVORAK: Concerto for Violin in A minor, mvt I
featuring the student winners of the John Leatherwood Concerto Competition
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GERSHWIN: American in Paris
RAVEL: La Valse
RESPHIGHI: Pines of Rome-Mvt. IV, The Pines of the Appian Way
joined by students from the Northwest Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra
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Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, Guest Conductor
April 4 and 5, 2025, Eddie Rose Ampitheater
Rockin’ at the Roost: The Music of Fleetwood Mac
https://orlandophil.org/event/the-music-of-fleetwood-mac/
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The Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra
April 12, 2025, Mattie Kelly Arts Center
“Ode to Joy”
JESSIE MONTGOMERY: A Hymn for All
AARON COPLAND: A Promise of Living from The Tenderland
BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 9, “Ode to Joy”
featuring the Northwest Florida Symphony Chorale and Niceville High School Chorus
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Previous engagements 2024
Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Parks concerts
July 21 and July 25, Towne Park and Virginia Beach Oceanfront
Grace Morgan, guest vocalist
“Where Wishes Come True: A Night of Enchanted Melodies”
Selections from Disney, classic cartoons and Broadway.
https://virginiasymphony.org/concert/be-our-guest-a-night-of-enchanted-melodies/
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Orlando Contemporary Chamber Orchestra
“From the Ashes”
Saturday, July 27th, 7p.m. Harriet’s Orlando Ballet Theatre
featuring VoxO in collaboration with Central Florida Composers Forum
https://www.pamatter.org/occo/concerts
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Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra
“Halloween Spooktacular and Opening Classics”
Saturday, October 12, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Mattie Kelly Arts Center
Selections to include:
Mussorgsky: Night on Bald Mountain
Elena Kats-Chernin: Wild Swans Suite
Michael Daugherty: Dead Elvis
Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique
https://mattiekellyartscenter.org
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Anderson Symphony Orchestra
“Lords of the Dance”
Saturday, November 2 Paramount Theatre, Anderson, IN
Program:
Stephanie Berg: Ravish and Mayhem
Bartok: Romanian Dances
Sarasate: Fantasy on Bizet’s Carmen, featuring Leila Warren, violin
Kodály: Dances of Galanta
Saint-Saëns: Danse Bacchanale from Samson and Delilah
Copland: Saturday Night Waltz from Rodeo
Lumbye: Copenhagen Steam Railway Gallop
Hardiman/Moore: The Lord of the Dance
Lecuona/Grofé: Malagueña
Ginastera: Danza final from Estancia
https://andersonsymphony.org/ticket-info/
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Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra
Holiday Pops: “Christmas on Broadway”
featuring Broadway actress/singer, Grace Morgan
The Northwest Florida Symphony Chorale
Unified Gospel Choir
Voices of Northwest Florida
Selections from classic Broadway musicals alongside traditional holiday favorites
https://mattiekellyartscenter.org
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Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra: Symphony of Illusions with Michael Grandinetti
Saturday, April 27, Steinmetz Performing Arts Hall, Dr. Phillips Center, Orlando, FL
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Orlando Contemporary Chamber Orchestra: Heroes and Villains, A Comiconcert
Saturday, June 1, 7 p.m. Harriet’s Orlando Ballet Theatre
Contemporary works from around the world with a backdrop of graphics from Silverline Comics
Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra
2023-24 Season
Opening Classics: War and Peace, October 21, 7 p.m. Mattie Kelly Arts Center
HANDEL: Overture to the Royal Fireworks
SHUYING LI: Purple Mountains
PROKOFIEV: Suite from War and Peace
I.Fanfare and Polonaise
II.Intermezzo
III. Final Chorus (featuring the NFSO Chorale)
INTERMISSION
HOLST: The Planets
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Special event: Sounds of the Spectrum
A concert to benefit the Emerald Coast Autism Center
November 8, 7 p.m. Mattie Kelly Arts Center
Guest artists:
Lawrence Brownlee, tenor
David Spencer, trumpet
Artists from the Pensacola Opera
The Northwest Florida Symphony Chorale
The Unified Gospel Choir
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Handel: Messiah
December 2, 7 p.m. St. Paul Lutheran Church (Niceville)
December 3, 2:30 p.m. Point Washington United Methodist Church (Pt. Washington)
Featuring the Northwest Florida Symphony Chorale, Darrin Isaac Scott, director
Soloists: Kara Grover, Abigail Mallory, Randy Ho, Lloyd Reshard
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Holiday Pops: Towne and Country, December 8, 7 p.m. Mattie Kelly Arts Center
A Holiday extravaganza featuring guest country artists the Swon brothers.
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Stars of Tomorrow concert: “Star-Crossed Lovers” February 10, 2024 MKAC
Featuring the winners of the 2024 John Leatherwood Concerto Competition
Coleridge-Taylor: Overture to the Song of Hiawatha
F.J. Haydn: Concerto for Piano in G major, mvt. I
Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto in D major, mvt. I
Grieg: Piano Concerto in D, mvt. I
Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet, Selections from Suites I and II
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Carmina Burana: March 9/10, 2024, Mattie Kelly Arts Center
A Co-Production with the NWF Ballet and New Orleans Ballet Theatre
Guest singers: Sarah Vautour, Ben Taylor and Chris Bozeka
Northwest Florida Symphony Chorale, Darrin Isaac Scott, Director
Carlos Simon: Fate Now Conquers
Ralph Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis
Carl Orff: Carmina Burana
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GUEST APPEARANCES 2022-23
Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Assistant/Cover conductor, 2023
Recording projects with Eric Jacobsen, Gil Shaham and Bela Fleck
Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and chorus, Guest Conductor, December 18, 2022
Handel: Messiah
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Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, Guest Conductor
Concert at the Springs, April 1, 2023
Music of the Beatles with Classic Mystery Tour
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CONCERTS, 2022
Orlando Contemporary Chamber Orchestra Summer Series
June 15th 7:00, Harriet’s Orlando Ballet Theatre
“ To There from Here”
Premieres of works by Charlie Griffin, David Wilborne and Kyle Throw
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July 16, Harriet’s Orlando Ballet Theatre
“Tales of Intrigue”
Works by Sarah Omens, contemporary arrangements of Ravel and Mussorgsky
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August 27, Harriet’s Orlando Ballet Theatre
Featuring VoxOCCO
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ECMEA All Country Festival, University of Buffalo, Slee Hall, March 25-26
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5
Moncayo: Huapango
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Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra:
Classics Finale: Declarations of Independence, March 18, Mattie Kelly Arts Center
Sibelius: Finlandia with the NFSO chorale
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor, K. 466, featuring Anne-Marie McDermott
INTERMISSION
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5
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Carnegie Hall Link Up Concerts, The Orchestra Swings, March 2nd and 3rd
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Classics #3: An Evening of Magic by the Sea, February 26, Mattie Kelly Arts Center
Mozart: Overture from the Magic Flute
Haydn Piano Concerto No. 11, I. Vivace, featuring Walter Gonzalves
Sibelius: Violin Concerto in D, I Allegro moderato, featuring Filippo Aldrovandi-Reina
INTERMISSION
Haydn: Symphony No. 39 in G minor, IV. Allegro moto
Anna Clyne: Seascape from Abstractions
Still: Tranquil Cove from Patterns
Britten: Peter Grimes: Four Sea Interludes, IV. Storm
Debussy: La Mer
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CONCERTS 2021
Festive Celebration: Soaring to New Heights, September 18, 7:30
Mattie Kelly Arts Center
Boyer: Celebration Overture
Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto in D Major, Rachel Barton Pine, soloist.
Harlin: Art of Flight
Respighi: Pines of Rome
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Halloween Spooktacular! October 23rd, 7p.m. Mattie Kelly Arts Center
Stravinsky: Firebird Suite: Infernal Dance
Dukas: Sorcerer’s Apprentice
Saint-Saens: Danse Macabre
Prokofiev: Death of Tybalt, from Romeo and Juliet Suite No. 2
Zimmer: Symphonic Highlights from Pirates of the Caribbean
Gounod: Funeral March of a Marionette
Williams: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone: Suite for Orchestra
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Holiday Pops: Around the World with the NFSO, December 10th,
7:30, Mattie Kelly Arts Center
J. Stephenson: Holiday Overture
L. Mozart: Sleigh Ride (Austria)
Delius: Sleigh ride (England)
Prokofiev: Troika from Lt. Kije Suite (Russia)
Faith: Brazilian Sleigh Bells (Brazil)
Anderson: Sleigh Ride (United States)
Holcombe: Festive Sounds of Hanukah (Israel)
Ivey: O Lord of Glory, featuring the Voices of Northwest Florida
Ivey: Sounds of the Holiday Season, featuring Dr. Devin Stephenson and the VONF
INTERMISSION
Anderson: Christmas Festival, featuring the Northwest Florida Symphony Chorale
Wilberg: First Noel
Rutter: Go Tell it on the Mountain
Davis/Custer: Stille Nacht, featuring Alexandra Pererverzeva, cello
Wachner: The Snow Lay on the Ground
Ivey: O Soulful Night, featuring guest soloist Christina Maxwell
Lopez/Lopez: Let it Go! from the movie Frozen, featuring Christina Maxwell
Silvestri: God Bless us Everyone, featuring Christina Maxwell, the Voices of Northwest Florida and the Northwest Florida Symphony Chorale
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THE FLORIDA ORCHESTRA, SOUND WAVES #1: HOLIDAY BRASS
Thursday, December 16, 2021 | Sun City Center - UMC @ 3:00 pm
Friday, December 17, 2021 | Al Lang Stadium @ 7:30 pm
Saturday, December 18, 2021 | The Palladium @ 2:00 pm
Saturday, December 18, 2021 | The Factory @ 8:00 pm
Arrival of the Queen of Sheba
G. F. Handel (Arr. Howard Cable)
Capriol Suite
I. Basse-Danse
II. Pavane
III. Tordion
IV. Bransles
V. Pieds-en-l’air
Peter Warlock (Arr. James Haynor)
O Magnum Mysterium
Morten Lauridsen
Canzon septimi toni No. 2
Gabrieli (Arr. King)
Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme
J. S. Bach (Arr. Enrique Crespo)
INTERMISSION
Ding! Dong! Merrily on High
Traditional (Arr. Sterling Procter)
Greensleeves
Ralph Vaughan Williams (Arr. E. Howarth)
Selections from The Nutcracker ♫
March, Chinese Dance; Arabian Dance; Russian Dance
P.I. Tchaikovsky (Arr. Phil Snedecor)
A Christmas Festival
Leroy Anderson (Arr. Christian Arnold)
Frosty the Snowman – Rudolph – Santa Medley
Arr. Seiter
Santa’s Cool Yule
Rob Will
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Orlando Contemporary Chamber Orchestra, Harriett’s Orlando Ballet, August 21
Reverie and Reflection, featuring VoxOCCO (Claire Hodge, director)
Alexandra Fol: Reflective Reflexion
Donald Yu: Piano Concerto No. 1, Caroline Hill Owen
Dear Umma: ChanJi Kim
Jose Jesus Ravelo: La Muerta de Cristo, featuring VoxOcco
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Orlando Contemporary Chamber Orchestra, Harriett’s Orlando Ballet Centre, June 5
Pale Blue Dot, A reconnection in the aftermath of separation
Jamie Wehr: Sayewitalli, Mauricio Céspedes Rivero, guest viola soloist
Kitty Xiao: The Distance of the Moon
Andrew Scott Foust: Pale Blue Dot
Guest Conductor, University of Illinois Chamber Strings, April 27, 2021
CPE Bach: Sinfonia in B minor
Shostakovich: Chamber Symphony, Op. 110a
Walker: Lyric for Strings
Wiren: String Serenade
Guest conductor, Lyric Theater @ Illinois, March 2, 2021.
Samuel Barber: Vanessa
University of Illinois Symphony Orchestra and student soloists
Guest Conductor, University of Illinois Chamber Strings, March 23, 2021.
Mozart: Eine Kleine Nacht Musik
Jesse Montgomery: Starburst
Suk: String Serenade
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ENGAGEMENTS 2020
Acting Music Director/Guest conductor: University of Illinois Symphony Orchestra, Fall 2020:
Wagner: Siegfried Idyll
Beethoven: Symphony No. 1
Dvorak: String Serenade
Guest conductor/Finalist, Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra, Mattie Kelly Arts Center, October 24, 2020.
Bernstein: Three Dance Episodes from On the Town
Copland: Clarinet Concerto
Rachmaninov: Symphonic Dances.
Guest Conductor, Toledo Symphony, Young Artists Debut Concert, St. John XIII Church, January 24, 2020.
Featuring music of Russel Peck and the Winners of the Toledo Symphony League Young Artists Competition.
Guest Conductor,Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Ferguson Center for the Arts, November 2, 2020.
Sensory friendly concert featuring Debussy Prelude to an Afternoon of a Faun, Mozart Eine Kleine Nacht Musik, George Walker Lyric for Strings.
Assistant Conductor, Florida Grand Opera, Don Giovanni, October 23-Dec.20, 2019.
Guest Conductor, Redeemer Chorus and members of the Venice Symphony, December 15, Church of the Redeemer, 2019
Handel’s Messiah, Part I.
Guest Conductor, Choral Artists of Sarasota with members of the Sarasota Orchestra, December 22, 2019
Featuring music of James Grant, Daniel Pinkham, Julian Wachner and Daniel Moe.
Orlando Contemporary Chamber Orchestra, The Abbey, Orlando, FL, September 12, 2019.
Music from the Video Games: Dead Cells and Wizard of Legend.
Orlando Contemporary Chamber Orchestra, Wayne Densch Theater, Orlando, FL August 17
Featuring music of local Orlando composers Jamie Wehr, Troy Gifford and New York based composer Randall Woolf.
Los Angeles Conducting Competition, Glendale Performing Arts Center, August 10
Beethoven Symphony No. 3, “Eroica”, mvt. I.
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Kleinhans Music Hall, May 3
Music of Pink Floyd and the Machine
Greater Buffalo Youth Orchestra/Buffalo Philharmonic Side by Side, Kleinhans Music Hall, April 28
Mahler: Symphony No. 1
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Kleinhans Music Hall, April 7
Family Concert: Around the World with the BPO
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Kleinhans Music Hall, March 13
West Side Public School Project:
Copland, Fanfare for the Common Man
Dvorak, Cello Concerto, Mvt. I
Peter Boyer, Ellis Island: A Dream of America
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Kleinhans Music Hall, February 7
Education Link Up Concert: “Orchestra Moves”
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Kleinhans Music Hall, February 10
Family Concert: Collaboration with Platypus Theatre, “Presto Mambo”
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Kleinhans Music Hall, February 23
Pops Concert: The Music of Billy Joel, Elton John and more, featuring Michael Cavanaugh
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Kleinhans Music Hall, March 4
Family Concert: Britten’s Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Kleinhans Music Hall, March 16
Pops Concert: The World of Oz
Buffalo Philharmonic Florida Tour, Cover Conductor for Maestra JoAnn Falletta, March 29-April 4, 2019
Borodin, Overture to Prince Igor
Brahms, Piano Concerto No. 2, Fabio Bidini, piano
Prokofiev, Selections from Romeo and Juliet
Khatchaturian, Waltz from Masquerade Suite