Peters Directs First Concert with Philharmonia
At the beginning of the fall semester, oboist Joseph Peters took the reins as director of the Buffalo State Philharmonia Orchestra. On Tuesday, November 17, he will direct his first Philharmonia concert.
The 7:30 p.m. concert held in the Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall will feature an array of styles beginning with Saint-Saens’s March Militaire Française, followed by Mozart’s Exsultate, Jubilate accompanied by vocalist Holly Bewlay, associate professor of music, Brahms’s Academic Festival Overture and Haydn’s Symphony No. 92, “Oxford.”
“Conducting is something I’ve done for years, something I really enjoy,” said Peters, who most recently served as oboe fellow with the New World Symphony in Miami Beach, Florida. During his three years there, he conducted multiple performances.
Peters replaces Philharmonia founding director Paul Ferington who retired in the spring.
“When Paul retired, we knew there were big shoes to fill," said Emily Boyce, associate professor and chair of the Music Department. “I’m extremely pleased with the talent we found with Joseph. He brings a fresh perspective and energy to the position and I believe our students and the other musicians will have strong direction as the Philharmonia goes into its seventh season.”
Peters joined the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra last year as its principal oboist. When he heard about the position at Buffalo State, he said it seemed like a great fit. He now holds both positions.
“I conducted a philharmonic group for summer festivals in Branson, Missouri. That's a town that doesn’t have a regular orchestra,” Peters said. “It’s very similar work here with the varied group of musicians who make up the Philharmonia.”
Formed in fall 2009, the Philharmonia is an auditioned orchestra of approximately 50 musicians, who are a mix of music majors and non-majors, faculty members, professional musicians, and community members.
Peters said he was impressed with the talent he saw through the fall audition; most of the musicians he selected have played with the Philharmonia before.
“I’m interested in the attitude the musicians brings to the group as well as how they contribute musically,” he said. “The percentage of students in the group is going up and I’d like for that to continue.”
A Minnesota native, Peters received his bachelor of music from the University of Minnesota and his master of music from Yale University. As a soloist, he has appeared with the Minnesota Orchestra, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the New World Symphony, Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, and the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies.
Additionally, Peters has served as guest principal oboist with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and the Florida Orchestra and has played with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, the Long Island Philharmonic, Yale Philharmonia, National Repertory Orchestra, and the National Orchestral Institute.