A Year of Musical Breakthroughs (Post 3/15)

A Year of Musical Breakthroughs (Post 3/15)
Year 2011-2012
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Unlike the challenging year before, 2011 began on a high note. I was accepted as a conducting fellow with the California Philharmonic, giving me an inside look at a regional professional orchestra. This opportunity also allowed me to conduct a rehearsal when the Music Director was unexpectedly taken to the ER.
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Additionally, I was accepted into a master’s program at California State University, Northridge. This wonderful opportunity enabled me to work with both the college orchestra and the youth orchestra in Northridge. I also collaborated with fellow graduate students who were composers, premiering several new pieces. One of the key reasons for pursuing a graduate degree in a major city is the abundance of external opportunities, and the Los Angeles area offered many.
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Lastly, I revisited a special place from my teenage years, the Lark Musical Society (more on this fantastic institution in a separate post). Here, I began teaching and founded a small youth orchestra, which was a new addition to the institution and an excellent opportunity for me to learn and grow.

Tigran Arakelyan, conductor, symphony, orchestra, Armenian, American

Conducting a rehearsal with the California Philharmonic (2011)