David Commanday has become known for dynamic performances, innovative programming, and an appealing connection with audience and community. He is the founding Artistic Director and Conductor of the Heartland Festival Orchestra. Active as guest conductor, he recently directed the Boca Raton Symphonia and the Longwood Symphony of Boston. He traveled last Spring to Singapore at the invitation of the Ministry of Education to consult on leadership and programming of the Singapore National Youth Orchestra. Last season David and the HFO performed for: Caterpillar CEO Jim Owens’ retirement celebration, a benefit concert for the Epiphany Roman Catholic Church in Normal, Illinois, and the Peoria Ballet's Nutcracker. Commanday conducted the HFO at Chicago’s Orchestra Hall in collaboration with Manhattan Concert Productions.
In 2011 Commanday was named Professional Conductor of the Year by the Illinois Council of Orchestras. In the words of the Peoria Journal Star, the Heartland Festival Orchestra "… has a big city feel, but a small-town heart."
Commanday has conducted orchestras around the world, including the National Symphony, Israel Philharmonic, American Symphony, Louisville Orchestra, Belgian Radio Orchestra, Vienna Pro Arte Orchestra, and the Seattle, Atlanta, and Richmond Symphonies, Ballet West (Salt Lake City, UT), and the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago.
Commanday started piano lessons at the age of six, and took up the cello soon after. He graduated cum laude at Harvard University, studying psychology, music and languages. He played cello at Tanglewood under the direction of Leonard Bernstein, Seiji Ozawa, and Aaron Copland, and their influence led him toward conducting. At the Vienna Hochschule für Musik he earned the Austrian Staatsdiplom with highest honors in orchestral conducting, and his early posts included: Music Director, Boston Ballet, Assistant Conductor, San Diego Symphony, Music Director of the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras, Associate Conductor of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, and Music Director of the Peoria Symphony Orchestra.
Commanday has held faculty positions and conducted at Harvard University, Boston University, MIT, and Montclair State and Virginia Commonwealth Universities. He is active as teaching and conducting clinician, conducting All-State and regional student orchestras around the country.
Commanday has performed as cellist in chamber music with Yo-Yo Ma, Bobby McFerrin, Antonio Pompa-Baldi, Matt Haimovitz, and most recently Adam Neiman.
In 2011 Commanday was named Professional Conductor of the Year by the Illinois Council of Orchestras. In the words of the Peoria Journal Star, the Heartland Festival Orchestra "… has a big city feel, but a small-town heart."
Commanday has conducted orchestras around the world, including the National Symphony, Israel Philharmonic, American Symphony, Louisville Orchestra, Belgian Radio Orchestra, Vienna Pro Arte Orchestra, and the Seattle, Atlanta, and Richmond Symphonies, Ballet West (Salt Lake City, UT), and the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago.
Commanday started piano lessons at the age of six, and took up the cello soon after. He graduated cum laude at Harvard University, studying psychology, music and languages. He played cello at Tanglewood under the direction of Leonard Bernstein, Seiji Ozawa, and Aaron Copland, and their influence led him toward conducting. At the Vienna Hochschule für Musik he earned the Austrian Staatsdiplom with highest honors in orchestral conducting, and his early posts included: Music Director, Boston Ballet, Assistant Conductor, San Diego Symphony, Music Director of the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras, Associate Conductor of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, and Music Director of the Peoria Symphony Orchestra.
Commanday has held faculty positions and conducted at Harvard University, Boston University, MIT, and Montclair State and Virginia Commonwealth Universities. He is active as teaching and conducting clinician, conducting All-State and regional student orchestras around the country.
Commanday has performed as cellist in chamber music with Yo-Yo Ma, Bobby McFerrin, Antonio Pompa-Baldi, Matt Haimovitz, and most recently Adam Neiman.