Key Players

Our Conductor

Maestro Glen Cortese begins his sixth year as conductor of the Western New York Chamber Orchestra. He is the fourth person to hold the role in the Chamber Orchestra’s 27-year history.

WNYCO is professional ensemble-in-residence’s at the State University of New York at Fredonia.

Mr. Cortese was one of five finalists considered by Western New York Chamber Orchestra officials following the departure of Joel Revzen in early 2004. He conducted the orchestra in September 2004, leading the ensemble in its subscription series season premiere concert. The performance featured Ravel’s “Ma Mere L’Oye” (“Mother Goose” Suite), Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony and Mr. Cortese’s own work for soprano and chamber orchestra, “In Dreams,” with soloist Emily Johnson.

“We were very impressed by Mr. Cortese’s imagination and artistic vision,” said James East, former executive director of the Western New York Chamber Orchestra. “He has many exciting ideas for programming and special projects which will challenge us artistically and appeal to our audiences, too. His residence will be in New York City, but he intends to spend a great deal of time in Western New York promoting the orchestra and its programs.“

Mr. Cortese was appointed Music Director of the Oregon Mozart Players in 2003 and was resident conductor of the Florida Philharmonic during the 2001-2002 season. He has completed 17 seasons as Music Director of the New York Chamber Sinfonia and 12 seasons at the Manhattan School of Music, where he was principal conductor and Director of Orchestral Studies from 1988 through 2000. He has appeared as guest conductor with such orchestras as the New Jersey Symphony, Florida Philharmonic, Mexico City Philharmonic, North Carolina Symphony, New Orleans Philharmonic, the International Chamber Orchestra, the Belarus Sate Philharmonic, Noorhollands Philharmonisch, Orquesta Altenburg Landeskappele Orchestra, Hong Kong Sinfonietta and the Sofia Festival Orchestra.

Mr. Cortese served as Assistant Conductor to the New York Philharmonic from 1990 to 1992. His opera and ballet credits include guest conductor with the Florida Grand Opera, New York City Opera, Joffrey II Ballet and the Elisa Monte Dance Company. He appeared regularly for five years as conductor for the Erick Hawkins Dance Company at Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center and the Joyce Theatre and on national tours.

Mr. Cortese is a past recipient of the Arthur Judson Foundation Award for a Young American Conductor and his discography includes recordings on the Titanic, Newport Classics, Phoenix, Owl, CMS and Le Crepuscule du Disc labels.