Conducting

Creating a musical community

WHAT'S SPECIAL ABOUT HILARIE'S CONDUCTING?

Passion for Music

Hilarie is passionate about music. She aims to motivate and inspire to perform at a higher caliber or to understand with greater depth. But her aspirations are balanced with patience, humor, and joy of conducting.

Musical Interpretations

Hilarie brings a combination of her musicality with her education and research. She has clear vision of what she wants – clear, concise expectations and the conducting technique to convey it to the orchestra. An important aspect of her conducting is an incessant drive to refine and develop further a rewarding interpretation to express the soul of the music.

A Musical Community

Conducting is a collaborative effort – each musician brings their own music story. Each musician is in a different place in their musical journey. These differences enhance the musical fabric of the ensemble from which she weaves a cohesive whole that bring forth powerful and joyful music.

 Nurturing & Humorous

Hilarie’s direction from the podium is gentle yet demanding. This balance signifies the blending of musical expertise, motivation, curiosity and respect for the performers.

SUNY Orange Community Orchestra

Gregg Michalak performing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto, No. 4 in G Major, Op. 58 on May 2, 2015

SUNY Orange Community Orchestra

Violinist Jina Choi performing Max Bruch’s Scottish Fantasy on May 7, 2016

Conducting Résumé

Cheshire Symphony Orchestra

Fall 2015 – Present

Conductor/Music Director

Southeastern Connecticut Community Orchestra (SECCO)

February 2022 – Present

SUNY Orange Community Orchestra

January 1998 – May 2017

Founding Conductor

Hudson Opera Theatre

July 2005 – 2014

Assistant Conductor

Chamber Music by the River

April 2016 – Present

Founding Conductor

National Woodwind Ensemble

2012 – 2015

Conductor

SummerStar Theatre

July 2002, Orchestra Director

Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

New London Community Orchestra

September 2018 – January 2022

Conductor/Music Director

Willimantic Orchestra

April 2017

Guest Conductor

Cortlandt Chamber Orchestra

“New Year’s Day Gala” Concert 2013

Guest Conductor

Studied conducting with Ron De Fesi, Artistic Director of the Hudson Opera Theatre, Allan Gillespie, professor at University of Connecticut

Testimonials from Conducting

I cannot thank you enough for giving Olivia the opportunity to solo with the orchestra…The session at the piano before meeting the orchestra was such a pedagogical moment…you masterfully took her through the process. When she met with the orchestra the first week she was already at ease. This was such an incredible performance opportunity for her and I cannot thank you enough.