Biography

I am a musician.

I’m an orchestra conductor, a freelance horn player, a music theorist, a music teacher, a pianist, an accompanist, an arranger, and a composer.

Hilarie Clark Moore’s curiosity and desire to learn everything about music–its history, theory, and performance practices–have motivated her to approach music from all angles. She is an accomplished orchestra conductor, chamber ensemble coach, composer, freelance performer on the French horn, and teacher of music theory, piano, and music history at the college level. Her education blends both music academics and performance. She received her Bachelor of Music degree in the French Horn Performance, and her Ph.D. in Music Theory from Yale University.

In her first major work, The Fishergirl, a hybrid of opera and musical theater, she expresses her unique voice, “an alluring musical language” in her “Post Romantic” style.

From the fall of 2022 to August 2025, she composed the musical, Jeannie, a sensitive portrayal of the challenges families face in dealing with end of life of a parent.  Other compositions include works for the French horn and a collection of lullabies for young children.

Over 30 Years of Conducting Experience

As an orchestra conductor, Hilarie Clark Moore has nearly 30 years of experience conducting community orchestras. She conducts the Southeastern Connecticut Community Orchestra (SECCO) and Cheshire Symphony Orchestra. Her resume includes serving as assistant conductor of the Hudson Opera Theatre, conducting the SUNY Orange Community Orchestra, conducting Sweeney Todd with SummerStar Theatre, and guest conducting with the Cortlandt Chamber Orchestra and the Willimantic Orchestra. In her music studio, she directs weekend-long chamber music programs called Chamber Music by the River (CMR), directs a French horn ensemble, and teaches both piano and horn.

Music has the power to change lives and if I can be part of this positive process, I have succeeded.

I aim to motivate and inspire the student to perform at a higher caliber or to understand with greater depth. However, my high aspirations for each student are balanced with my patience, humor, and joy of the subject matter.

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