Michael Palmer

Biography

Michael Palmer has long been considered one of this country’s finest conductors. Mr. Palmer began his career at age 21, when he came to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra as assistant conductor at the invitation of Robert Shaw. He was soon made associate conductor, and also founded and was music director of the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra. While in Atlanta, Michael Palmer was honored as one of five of the first conductors in the United States chosen by the National Endowment for the Arts to be an Exxon Arts Endowment Conductor, and he was soon in demand with orchestras throughout the country. While continuing in his post in Atlanta, he was appointed guest conductor of the Houston Symphony Orchestra for a three-year period. He also worked extensively with the National Symphony Orchestra during this period, and he was, subsequently, named co-principal guest conductor of the Denver Symphony Orchestra.

After 10 years in Atlanta as associate conductor, Mr. Palmer accepted appointments as music director of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra followed by the New Haven Symphony Orchestra. In New Haven, he was recognized widely for his artistic accomplishments and for building the Orchestra to be one of the finest of its kind in the nation. Carnegie Hall invited Michael Palmer and the New Haven Symphony Orchestra to make their New York debut on its distinguished Visiting Orchestra Series in 1994. During his tenure as music director in New Haven, Mr. Palmer founded the American Sinfonietta, which toured Europe for 10 seasons under his leadership, playing to critical acclaim in the major concert halls of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. This led to the creation of the Bellingham Festival of Music in 1993. Under his artistic leadership, the Festival has become internationally recognized for its artistry. Festival concerts are heard across the nation on public radio and feature some of the finest orchestral musicians and major guest artists from the United States and abroad. As Artistic Director since its formation, he maintains the title of Conductor Laureate. Michael Palmer has also guest conducted major orchestras including: Detroit Symphony Orchestra, San Diego Symphony Orchestra, Miami Philharmonic, Nashville Symphony Orchestra, Rochester Philharmonic, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Louisville Symphony Orchestra, Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra, Kansas City Philharmonic, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. He also served as cover conductor for Herbert Blomstedt at the San Francisco Symphony.

In addition to his regular concerts, in the US and Internationally, he remains focused on building a legacy for future arts supporters and lovers of classical music, through his non-profit organization, Anacrusis Productions Ltd. (Website: anacrusisproductionslimited.org). The Hamptons Festival of Music and the formation of The New American Sinfonietta are his latest achievements as a lifelong artistic entrepreneur.