Daniel Hege is an American orchestral

conductor Conductor or conduction may refer to: Biology and medicine * Bone conduction, the conduction of sound to the inner ear * Conduction aphasia, a language disorder Mathematics * Conductor (ring theory) * Conductor of an abelian variety * Cond ...

. He is currently the music director of the

Wichita Symphony Orchestra The Wichita Symphony Orchestra (WSO) is the oldest professional symphony orchestra in Kansas, performing out of Century II Concert Hall in downtown Wichita. It was founded in 1944. The Orchestra's annual activities include an 8-concert Masterwor ...

and the Binghamton Philharmonic, and is the principal guest conductor of the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra. Hege previously served as the music director of the former Syracuse Symphony Orchestra. He also makes numerous guest appearances with orchestras and music festivals across the country.

Biography

Hege was born in Colorado and raised in Idaho to parents Carl and Anne, who he names as his role models. He attended the First Mennonite Church in Aberdeen, Idaho. He began piano lessons at the age of nine and realized at that age that music would be his ruling passion. He has majors in history and music at Bethel College, graduating in 1987. His senior seminar paper was about how the composer

Dmitri Shostakovich Dmitri Dmitriyevich Shostakovich, group=n (9 August 1975) was a Soviet-era Russian composer and pianist who became internationally known after the premiere of his First Symphony in 1926 and thereafter was regarded as a major composer. Shostak ...

worked under the repressive Stalin regime in Russia in the mid-20th century. He went on to obtain a master's degree from the

University of Utah The University of Utah (the U, U of U, or simply Utah) is a public university, public research university in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. It was established in 1850 as the University of Deseret (Book of Mormon), Deseret by the General A ...

in orchestral conducting, where he founded the University Chamber Orchestra. He studied at the

University of Southern California The University of Southern California (USC, SC, or Southern Cal) is a Private university, private research university in Los Angeles, California, United States. Founded in 1880 by Robert M. Widney, it is the oldest private research university in ...

with Daniel Lewis and at the

Aspen Music Festival The Aspen Music Festival and School (AMFS) is a classical music festival held annually in Aspen, Colorado. It is noted both for its concert programming and the musical training it offers to mostly young-adult music students. Founded in 1949, th ...

with Paul Vermel. In 2004 Mr. Hege received an honorary doctorate in Humane Letters from

Le Moyne College Le Moyne College is a private Jesuit college mostly in DeWitt, New York. It was founded by the Society of Jesus in 1946, and named after Jesuit missionary Simon Le Moyne. Le Moyne was the first co-educational Jesuit college in the United Sta ...

. He is active as a guest clinician and adjudicates various musical competitions nationally. He has three daughters and lives in Jamesville, NY.

Positions held

* Music Director of the

(September 2010 – present) * Music Director of the Binghamton Philharmonic (May 2018 – present) * Principal Guest Conductor of the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra (September 2015 – present) * Music Director of the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra (April 1999 – April 2011) * Music Director of the Haddonfield Symphony, New Jersey (1997 - 2000) (Now known as Symphony in C) * Music Director of the Encore Chamber Orchestra in Chicago (1993 - 1997) * Music Director of the Chicago Youth Symphony (1993 - 1997) (was honored twice by the American Symphony Orchestra League for innovative programming while in this position) * Associate Conductor of the

Kansas City Symphony The Kansas City Symphony (KCS) is an American symphony orchestra based in Kansas City, Missouri. The orchestra is resident at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. The orchestra performs a 42-week season, and is also the accompanying o ...

(1995 - 1996) * Assistant, Associate and Resident Conductor of the Baltimore Symphony (1996–2001) * Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Young Musicians’ Foundation Debut Orchestra in Los Angeles (1990 - 1993) * Music Director of the Newton Mid-Kansas Symphony Orchestra (1993 - 2004) * Director of Instrumental Music at the

Orange County High School of the Arts Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA, ), is a 7th–12th grade public charter school located in downtown Santa Ana, California. The school caters to middle and high school students with talents in the performing, visual, literary arts, cul ...

(1991 - 1993) * Assistant Conductor of the

Pacific Symphony The Pacific Symphony is a symphony orchestra based in Orange County, California. The orchestra performs at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall as a part of the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, California. From 1987 to 2016 ...

(1991 - 1993)

Guest conductor roles

Maestro Hege has performed or will perform as guest conductor for the following orchestras and festivals: * Akron Symphony Orchestra *

Albany Symphony Orchestra The Albany Symphony Orchestra is a professional symphony orchestra based in Albany, New York. Founded in 1930 as the People's Orchestra of Albany by Italian-born conductor John Carabella, the Albany Symphony is the oldest professional symphony ...

* Amarillo Symphony Orchestra *

Annapolis Symphony Orchestra The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra (ASO), located in Annapolis, Maryland, has been in operation since 1962. Its founders include Kenneth W. Page, a well-respected civic leader in the Annapolis area during the 1960s who was also the music director of ...

Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra The Auckland Philharmonia (formerly Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, APO) is a symphony orchestra based in Auckland, New Zealand. Its principal concert venue is the Auckland Town Hall, and it is also the accompanying ensemble for Auckland stage ...

, New Zealand *Baltimore Chamber Orchestra *

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) is an American symphony orchestra based in Baltimore, Maryland. The Baltimore SO has its principal residence at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, where it performs more than 130 concerts a year. In 2005, ...

* Bardi Symphony Orchestra of Leicester, England * Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra * Boise Philharmonic * Brevard Music Center Summer Institute *

Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra is an American symphony orchestra located in Buffalo, New York led by Music Director JoAnn Falletta. Its primary performing venue is Kleinhans Music Hall, which is a National Historic Landmark. Each season it ...

* Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Canada *

Charleston Symphony Orchestra The Charleston Symphony Orchestra aka CSO, is an American orchestra based in Charleston, South Carolina, and performs Masterworks and Pops series, Youth Orchestra concerts and more, at the Gaillard Center and dozens of other venues across the Low ...

Charlotte Symphony Orchestra The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Charlotte, North Carolina Charlotte ( ) is the List of municipalities in North Carolina, most populous city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the county seat of Meckl ...

* Civic Orchestra of Chicago *

Columbus Symphony Orchestra The Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO) is an American symphony orchestra based in Columbus, Ohio. The oldest performing arts organization in the city, its home is the Ohio Theatre. The orchestra's current executive director is Denise Rehg. R ...

Colorado Symphony Orchestra The Colorado Symphony is an American symphony orchestra located in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1989 as the successor to the Denver Symphony Orchestra, the Colorado Symphony performs in Boettcher Concert Hall, located in the Denver Perfor ...

* Colorado Springs Philharmonic * Dayton Symphony Orchestra *

Detroit Symphony Orchestra The Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) is an American orchestra based in Detroit, Detroit, Michigan. Its primary performance venue is Orchestra Hall (Detroit, Michigan), Orchestra Hall at the Max M. Fisher Music Center in Detroit's Midtown, Detroit, ...

Edmonton Symphony Orchestra The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (ESO) is a Canadian orchestra based in Edmonton, Alberta. As the professional orchestra of Alberta's creative capital city it presents over 85 concerts a year of symphonic music in all genres, from classical to co ...

* Elgin Symphony Orchestra *

Eugene Symphony The Eugene Symphony is an American orchestra based in Eugene, Oregon. The Eugene Symphony is a resident company of the Hult Center for the Performing Arts and performs in the center's Silva Hall in downtown Eugene and Cuthbert Amphitheater locat ...

Florida Orchestra The Florida Orchestra is an American orchestra based in the tri-city area of Tampa, Clearwater and St. Petersburg, Florida. It was founded as the Florida Gulf Coast Symphony upon the 1968 merger of the St. Petersburg Symphony Orchestra and the T ...

Grand Rapids Symphony The Grand Rapids Symphony is a professional orchestra located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1930, the Symphony celebrated its 90th anniversary season in 2019-20. In 2006, its recording ''Invention and Alchemy'' was nominated for Be ...

*Grand Teton Music Festival *

Grant Park Music Festival The Grant Park Music Festival (formerly the Grant Park Concerts) is a ten-week classical music concert series held annually in Chicago, Illinois, United States. It features the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra and Grant Park Chorus along with gues ...

Hartford Symphony Orchestra The Hartford Symphony Orchestra (HSO) is an American orchestra based in Hartford, Connecticut. Overview The orchestra presents more than 100 concerts annually to audiences numbering more than 110,000. The Hartford Symphony Orchestra’s exte ...

Houston Symphony Orchestra The Houston Symphony is an American orchestra based in Houston, Texas. The orchestra is resident at the Jesse H. Jones Hall for the Performing Arts. History The first concert of what was to become the Houston Symphony took place on June 21, 1 ...

Illinois Symphony Orchestra Illinois ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern United States. It borders on Lake Michigan to its northeast, the Mississippi River to its west, and the Wabash River, Wabash and Ohio River, Ohio rivers to its ...

Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (ISO) is a major American orchestra based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The largest performing arts organization in Indiana, the orchestra was founded in 1930 and is based at the Hilbert Circle Theatre in downtown ...

* Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra *

* Lake Placid Sinfonietta *Los Angeles Mozart Orchestra *

Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) is an American orchestra based in New Orleans, Louisiana. It is the only full-time, professional orchestra in the Gulf South. The orchestra performs at the Orpheum Theater. The Louisiana Philharmonic ...

Louisville Orchestra The Louisville Orchestra is the primary orchestra in Louisville, Kentucky. It was founded in 1937 by Robert Whitney (1904–1986). The Louisville Orchestra employs salaried musicians, and offers a wide variety of concert series to the communit ...

Madison Symphony Orchestra The Madison Symphony Orchestra (MSO) is an orchestra headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin. Its conductor is John DeMain, who began his 30th season with the orchestra in the fall of 2023. The orchestra was founded in 1925 as a s ...

* Memphis Symphony Orchestra *

Music Academy of the West The Music Academy of the West is a summer classical music training program in Montecito, California, and festival with performances in the County of Santa Barbara. Overview The academy annually enrolls 136 pre-professional musicians in their ...

* Naples Philharmonic Orchestra * National Orchestral Institute *

National Repertory Orchestra The National Repertory Orchestra (NRO) is an American summer symphony orchestra that offers full fellowships to train young professional musicians for careers in music through performances, masterclasses and workshops. Based in Breckenridge, Col ...

* North Carolina Symphony Orchestra * OK Mozart International Festival * Olympia Philharmonic * Omaha Symphony Orchestra *

Oregon Symphony Orchestra The Oregon Symphony is an American symphony orchestra based in Portland, Oregon, United States. Founded as the "Portland Symphony Society" in 1896, it is the sixth oldest orchestra in the United States, and oldest in the Western United States. It ...

Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra is Central Florida's resident professional orchestra, appearing in more than 125 performances each season. Founded in 1993. At over $4 million, the Orlando Philharmonic has the largest endowment of any arts i ...

* Orquesta Sinfónico Nacional de Costa Rica *

Pacific Symphony Orchestra The Pacific Symphony is a symphony orchestra based in Orange County, California. The orchestra performs at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall as a part of the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, California. From 1987 to 2016, ...

* Phoenix Symphony Orchestra *

Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra The Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra (PRSO) (''Orquesta Sinfónica de Puerto Rico'' in Spanish language, Spanish) a musical ensemble sponsored by the Government of Puerto Rico. It has 80 regular musicians from around the world performing a 52-we ...

Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra The Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra is an American orchestra and music school based in Providence, Rhode Island. Founded in 1945 and colloquially referred to as the RI Philharmonic, the orchestra's performing home is Veterans Memorial Auditor ...

Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) is an American orchestra based in the city of Rochester, New York. Its primary concert venue is the Eastman Theatre at the Eastman School of Music. History George Eastman, founder of Eastman Kodak Compan ...

* San Antonio Symphony Orchestra *

San Diego Symphony The San Diego Symphony is an American symphony orchestra based in San Diego, California. The orchestra performs at Jacobs Music Center and the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park. It serves as the orchestra for the San Diego Opera. History On December 6, ...

* Santa Barbara Symphony Orchestra * Santa Rosa Symphony *

Sarasota Orchestra The Sarasota Orchestra is an American symphony orchestra located in Sarasota, Florida. The orchestra is administratively based at the Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center. The orchestra performs concerts in Sarasota at several venues: * Holley Ha ...

Seattle Symphony Orchestra The Seattle Symphony is an American orchestra based in Seattle, Washington. Since 1998, the orchestra is resident at Benaroya Hall. The orchestra also serves as the accompanying orchestra for the Seattle Opera. History Beginnings The orchest ...

Singapore Symphony Orchestra The Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) is a symphony orchestra based in Singapore. Its principal concert venue is the Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay. The orchestra also gives concerts at the Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall, and performs ...

* Skaneateles Music Festival * Spokane Symphony * St. Petersburg Symphony Orchestra, Russia * Stamford Symphony Orchestra * Symphony Orchestra of Lima, Peru * Syracuse Opera * Texas Music Festival * Toledo Symphony Orchestra * Tulsa Symphony Orchestra *

Tucson Symphony Orchestra The Tucson Symphony Orchestra, or TSO, is the primary professional orchestra of Tucson, Arizona. Founded in 1928, when the season consisted of just two concerts, the TSO is the oldest continuously running performing arts organization in the Sout ...

* Virginia Symphony Orchestra * Wintergreen Summer Music Festival

Recordings

* ''Texas Music Festival'', 2014, Nielsen: Symphony No. 4, Britten: Sinfonia da Requiem, Bartok: Miraculous Mandarin Suite, Blu-ray Disc Release * ''SSO Big Band Bash'', 2006 * ''Serenity Cedille'', 2006, Label: Cedille * ''SSO Holiday Pops'', 2002 * ''SSO Classics Concert'', 2000 * ''Violin Concertos by Black Composers of the 18th & 19th Centuries'', 1999, Label: Cedille , with violinist Rachel Barton and the Encore Chamber Orchestra (which was nominated for a 1998 NPR Heritage Award) * ''Done Made My Vow'', works of Adolphus Hailstork performed with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and Morgan State Choir * ''The Gift'', Label: Woodland Records, with oboist Brad Smith.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hege, Daniel Year of birth missing (living people) Living people American male conductors (music) Aspen Music Festival and School alumni Bethel College (Kansas) alumni University of Utah alumni University of Southern California alumni Musicians from Wichita, Kansas Musicians from Iowa 21st-century American conductors (music) 21st-century American male musicians