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CURRICULUM VITAE

GROTON HILL MUSIC CENTER

Groton, Massachusetts
1997 - Current: Music Director, Vista Philharmonic Orchestra

Groton Hill Music Center (formerly Indian Hill Music Center) is a non-profit regional center for music education and performance headquartered in Groton, Massachusetts.  Founded in 1985, our mission is to share the transformative power of music through teaching and performing, and giving music generously when there is need.  Groton Hill Music Center features a broad range of concerts and music education programs serving over 50 communities throughout eastern central Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire.  The Vista Philharmonic Orchestra is a 70-member professional orchestra composed of Boston-area freelance musicians, and is this region's only professional orchestral ensemble.  Every week, over 1300 students participate in the ongoing music classes, lessons and ensembles at the Groton Hill School of Music and more than 7000 people attend our concerts each year.

as Music Director...

  • create all Vista Philharmonic Orchestra (subscription, family, pops and educational) programs

  • advise Executive Director on content, artist recommendations and concepts for:

  • Kalliroscope Gallery Concerts (chamber music guest artists)

  • Sundays at Blackman Hall Chamber series (faculty recitals and ensembles)

  • Jazz at Indian Hill Arts (faculty recitals and guest artists)

  • hire and supervise all performance artistic staff

  • advise in developing marketing strategy for all concerts

  • revised personnel contract for integration between symphony musicians and school faculty

  • public spokesperson at concerts and business functions

  • as Music Director, serve as one of five ‘senior staff’

  • conduct all symphony concerts when available

  • audition, hire and otherwise determine all orchestral personnel

  • provide input in all artistic matters (programming, personnel, community outreach, long-range planning)

  • initiated Family Concerts in surrounding communities

  • currently planning opportunities for teaching adult seminars and workshops on various aspects of music

boston conservatory

at berklee

Boston, Massachusetts
2003 - Current: Director of Orchestral Activities and Conductor of the Conservatory Orchestra

The Boston Conservatory at Berklee trains exceptional young performing artists for careers that enrich and transform the human experience. Known for its multi-disciplinary environment, the Conservatory offers fully accredited graduate and undergraduate programs in Music, Dance, Theater, and Music Education, and presents over 200 performances each year by students, faculty, and guest artists. 

as Director of Orchestral Activities...

  • determine all programs, personnel, and conduct all four Orchestra concerts per year

  • conduct one other large ensemble production (e.g., opera, ballet, dance, music theater) per season when available

  • author and teach Masters of Music degree in Conducting, established 2005

    • teach private conducting lessons

    • teach conducting seminar

    • advise and support conducting students with other area organizations

boston symphony orchestra

Boston, Massachusetts
2004 - 2006: Conductor, Boston Symphony Youth Concerts
("The Germeshausen Family Youth Concert Conductor's Chair, fully funded in perpetuity")

  • devised programs and conduct 2 weeks (one Fall, one Spring) of Youth Concerts for audiences grades 3 – 12

  • work in collaboration with the BSO Education Department in developing program concepts and community outreach

  • conduct stand-alone mid-winter Family Concert when available

BOSTON POPS ORCHESTRA

Boston, Massachusetts
2002 - 2006: Principal Pops Guest Conductor
1979 - 2002: Non-titled, frequent guest conducting

  • conduct approximately 40 performances each year of the Spring and Holiday seasons

  • conduct special private and miscellaneous run-out performances as requested

  • cover for Keith Lockhart and John Williams for opening nights, television performances and other special concerts

portland opera repertory theatre (p.o.r.t.)
(now OperaMaine)

Portland, Maine
Founder, 1995
1995 - 2004: Artistic and General Director
(including responsibilities as Development Director '02-'04)

The Portland Opera Repertory Theatre is dedicated to equally high standards of artistic excellence and personal effectiveness.  Its mission is to present to the people of Maine great operatic masterpieces in productions that are lively, creative, beautiful and important.  Its objective is to do so within a principled and empowered environment.

as Artistic Director...

  • provided ongoing artistic vision and guidance, creating and developing new opportunities, and overseeing overall operation of the Company

  • founded the company in summer 1995 

  • promoted to Artistic and General Director in 1996 by Board of Directors, assuming all artistic and administrative leadership roles (PORT performs fully-staged and costumed productions with completely original designs, full orchestra, and in original language with supertitles.)

  • conducted all performances and oversaw all artistic aspects of the Company

  • planned and organized all auditions (New York City, Boston, Chicago, Baltimore and Maine) for the Company (leading singers were those with major international credentials, including the Metropolitan Opera and major European houses; comprimario roles were given to exceptional younger singers from the Emerging Artists Program and from New England; Orchestra and Chorus were regional Northern New England)

  • Initiated an Apprentice (later Emerging Artists) Program in 1996, whose participants came from opera studies at Boston University, New England Conservatory of Music, Manhattan School of Music, Mannes School, Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and others.  Young Artists covered main-stage comprimario roles, were given extensive advanced training in voice, diction and stage movement, and performed many outreach concerts throughout Southern Maine.

  • initiated in 1997 a Conducting Apprentice/Assistantship, which position was occupied by a current student of the Hartt School of Music.

as General Director...

  • provided ongoing vision and guidance, creating and developing new opportunities, and overseeing overall operation of the Company

  • founded the organization in 1994, named it, organized and publicized from the ground up the Company’s first production in 1995

  • collaborated with President in formation and development of a Board of Directors

  • advised President and Board committees in all fund-raising (including corporate, foundation and events) efforts

  • developed leadership for new volunteer council

  • researched foundations and write grant proposals

  • oversaw major donors campaign and strategies

  • monitored and facilitated Board activity in the fundraising program

  • devised all budgets and budget reporting;  supervised all production schedules;  hired all artistic, production and office personnel and organized volunteer committees

  • conceived Aria Auction fund-raiser;  supervised and advised publicity efforts, including logo, poster and program design;  negotiated all contracts with artists, artist agents and facilities’ managements

  • managed significant expansion of the annual budget from its initial $70,000 in 1995 to $500,000 at the time of my departure

  • oversaw creation of P.O.R.T.’s newsletter (“re:P.O.R.T.”) and website

  • oversaw all aspects of company development, from auditions and stage set design to personnel contracts, box office relations, marketing and budget analysis and planning

  • initiated and managed all aspects of original concept TQITA (Total Quality In The Arts), which includes: 

  • building teams and “teamsmanship”,

  • establishing flexible performance agreements,

  • breaking down typical barriers usually existent in occasional, free-lance work,

  • establishing integrity, accountability and responsibility in the workplace

  • established and developed avenues for expanding all participants’ experiences with leadership, understanding empowerment and responsibility, and motivating all individuals as ambassadors for the Company throughout the greater community

  • organized procedures for P.O.R.T.’s first-ever strategic plan

  • instituted an administrative assistant internship

  • conceived and developed collaborations with other arts institutions, including Portland Arts & Technology High School (PATHS), University of Southern Maine’s School of Music Vocal Studies (Maine’s Emerging Artists program), Thornton Academy (Apprentice Program), Maine Humanities Council (literary workshops), Portland Public Library (pre-performance lectures), The Movies on Exchange, Portland Stage Company, Medomak Conductors Retreat

kansas city symphony

Kansas City, Missouri
1998 - 1999: Acting Associate Conductor (part-time, non-resident)

  • conducted a wide variety of subscription and non-subscription, public and educational concerts​

utah symphony orchestra

Salt Lake City, Utah
1997 - 1999: Acting Associate Conductor (part-time, non-resident)

  • invited to the position in 1997 by Joseph Silverstein

  • conducted full and chamber orchestra subscriptions, family, pops, youth concerts, special events and outdoor summer

  • originally a one-year appointment, but due to orchestra members’ request renewed for a second season​

omaha symphony orchestra

Omaha, Nebraska
1984 - 1996: Music Director and Conductor (full-time, resident)

  • provided vision and guidance, and oversaw all artistic aspects of $3M organization, including personnel, programming and development of new opportunities

  • conducted virtually all subscription concerts by both full and chamber orchestras; conducted pops concerts and tours

  • expanded orchestra’s concert programming (number of series, number of performances)

  • initiated and conducted first-ever appearances by celebrity artists (Perlman, Galway, Rostropovich) as soloists with orchestra

  • received national television coverage (CBS) for 1992 world premiere, “Ceremonial Images” composition incorporating Omaha Indian tribal drummers and chanters with the orchestra

  • expanded educational programming to include: annual “Celebrate Creativity” days for area high school students, concerts for kids in cities other than Omaha, Family concerts including the local youth symphony on stage with the Omaha Symphony, etc.

  • developed community-spirited pops concerts, featuring local talent and entertaining ‘themes’

  • initiated experimentation with NASCEnt (New American Symphony Concerts as Entertainment) concepts of concert presentation

  • oversaw annual international composition contest;  commissioned half-a-dozen works for both full and chamber orchestra as well as presenting first performances by approximately 30 living composers

  • initiated full orchestra tours and run-outs to ‘out-state’ Nebraska;  initiated and conducted a statewide high school choir to sing with Symphony

  • initiated occasional outdoor summer programs

  • received Omaha’s ICAN Foundation Award for Career Excellence

  • public appearances and speeches at Conventions (including teachers of gifted and talented), Civic clubs, Professional Organizations, including a motivational session for all local employees of Union Pacific Railroad

  • represented Omaha Symphony on multiple music panels of National Endowment for the Arts

  • supervised and personally facilitated a ‘sister-orchestra’ relationship with the Shizuoka (Japan) Philharmonic, in collaboration with Omaha’s Sister-City organization​

portland symphony orchestra

Portland, Maine
1976 - 1986: Music Director and Conductor (full-time, resident)

  • provided vision and guidance, and oversaw all artistic aspects, including personnel, programming and development of new opportunities

  • conducted all concerts of professional orchestra (full and chamber orchestra subscription series, pops series, summer series, educational and miscellaneous) 

  • initiated chamber orchestra and its subscription series;  initiated and presided over all Kinderkonzerts (smaller ensembles for pre-schoolers)

  • initiated special “Celebrate Creativity” project with Lorin Hollander and statewide high school performers and singers

  • initiated summer concert series, performing in at least a dozen other communities outside Portland

  • initiated and conducted “SuperBand”, a prime-time, orchestra-in-the-TV-studio, 2-hour commercial television annual special designed to sell subscription tickets

  • established a relationship with, and conducted for a time the Portland Youth Symphony.  Initiated Family Concerts, and “Magic of Christmas” concerts

  • spokesperson for Portland Symphony in all ways - public speaking, broadcasting, entertaining, and teaching

  • helped facilitate the orchestra’s first-ever long-range plan

  • participated in various fund-raising, solicitation and community-support projects

  • helped establish partnerships with art museum, ballet companies, recital presenters, youth organizations and area choruses

  • responsible for organization growing from 60 services per year to 135 services per year.​

denver symphony orchestra

Denver, Colorado
1984 - 1996: Music Director and Conductor (full-time, resident)

  • provided vision and guidance, and oversaw all artistic aspects of $3M organization, including personnel, programming and development of new opportunities

  • conducted virtually all subscription concerts by both full and chamber orchestras; conducted pops concerts and tours

  • expanded orchestra’s concert programming (number of series, number of performances)

  • initiated and conducted first-ever appearances by celebrity artists (Perlman, Galway, Rostropovich) as soloists with orchestra

  • received national television coverage (CBS) for 1992 world premiere, “Ceremonial Images” composition incorporating Omaha Indian tribal drummers and chanters with the orchestra

  • expanded educational programming to include: annual “Celebrate Creativity” days for area high school students, concerts for kids in cities other than Omaha, Family concerts including the local youth symphony on stage with the Omaha Symphony, etc.

  • developed community-spirited pops concerts, featuring local talent and entertaining ‘themes’

  • initiated experimentation with NASCEnt (New American Symphony Concerts as Entertainment) concepts of concert presentation

  • oversaw annual international composition contest;  commissioned half-a-dozen works for both full and chamber orchestra as well as presenting first performances by approximately 30 living composers

  • initiated full orchestra tours and run-outs to ‘out-state’ Nebraska;  initiated and conducted a statewide high school choir to sing with Symphony

  • initiated occasional outdoor summer programs

  • received Omaha’s ICAN Foundation Award for Career Excellence

  • public appearances and speeches at Conventions (including teachers of gifted and talented), Civic clubs, Professional Organizations, including a motivational session for all local employees of Union Pacific Railroad

  • represented Omaha Symphony on multiple music panels of National Endowment for the Arts

  • supervised and personally facilitated a ‘sister-orchestra’ relationship with the Shizuoka (Japan) Philharmonic, in collaboration with Omaha’s Sister-City organization​

Arapahoe chamber orchestra

Denver, Colorado
1975 - 1979: Music Director and Conductor

  • ​​​​​​​​​​​conducted all concerts

  • conceived, facilitated and conducted collaborations with Denver Ballet, Impresario Opera

  • conceived and facilitated special activities and programming possibilities with local artists​

guest conducting activity

(1979 - present)
CLASSICAL

  • Guest conducting engagements with the following symphony orchestras: Edmonton Symphony, Florida Philharmonic, Jacksonville Orchestra, Mesa Symphony, Music in the Mountains (Colorado), Oberlin Conservatory Orchestra, Santa Barbara Symphony,         Shizuoka (Japan) Philharmonic, Taiwan Symphony, and earlier performances with New York Philharmonic, Birmingham Symphony, New Orleans Philharmonic, Rochester Philharmonic, Buffalo Philharmonic and Tulsa Philharmonic.​​

  • Guest conducting engagements with the following chamber orchestras: Camerata (Bloomington, IN), Lexington Sinfonietta (Lexington, MA), and Oberlin Conservatory Chamber Orchestra​​

  • Guest conducting with the following opera companies: Chicago Opera Theater, Fargo-Moorhead Opera and Tacoma Opera.​

POPS

  • In addition to orchestras mentioned above, many pops guest engagements have included the orchestras of Dallas, Edmonton, Houston, Jacksonville, Louisville, Naples, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Ottawa, Saint Louis, Santa Barbara in recent years.  Other orchestra engagements in the past include Rochester, Buffalo, Tulsa, Hartford, Atlanta and Spokane.​

  • developed a “Paul Whiteman Lives!” re-creation of the late ‘20s – early ‘30s ‘orchestra’ as developed by Paul Whiteman immediately after his success in premiering the Rhapsody in Blue concert at Aeolian Hall, 1924.

  • conduct more than 300 performances with Boston Pops and Boston Pops Esplanade since 1979, including season and off-season and privately contracted, in-house and run-out performances of all pops types (traditional, Swing Night, Family, etc.)​

  • developed and conducted new Earth-Day program with the Paul Winter Consort and the New Jersey Symphony

  • developed and conducted a new “crossover” program with Richard Stoltzman and the Pittsburgh Symphony

  • conducted “Magic of Christmas” (concept developed in Portland, ME) with Utah, New Jersey, Dallas, Kansas City, Jacksonville, Hartford and Orchestra of Indian Hill Symphonies

  • in recent past, several-year conducting relationship with both Minnesota and Baltimore Symphonies, including wide variety of programming​

ACADEMIC

Guest conductor of full orchestras at:​

  • The Boston Conservatory

  • Eastman School of Music

  • Hartt School of Music

  • New England Conservatory of Music

  • Shepherd School of Music

  • Oberlin College Conservatory of Music

  • guest conductor of Yale School of Music Chamber Orchestra

  • guest conductor of ensembles, California School for the Arts​​

​

Guest conductor of high school all-state orchestras in:

  • Rhode Island

  • New York (twice)

  • Maine (twice)

  • Colorado

  • Montana

  • Minnesota

  • Massachusetts (twice)​

  • Nebraska     ​​

  • Connecticut

  • New Hampshire​

INTERNATIONAL

  • New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (two annual tours + privately-funded recording project in 2006)

  • Taiwan Symphony Orchestra

  • Shizuoka, Japan, Philharmonic

  • National Arts Centre Orchestra, Ottawa

  • Edmonton Symphony, Alberta (Annual appearances with multiple programs per season since 2002)​

  • regular guest conductor, early 1980’s, new music series in New York City, “Music New to New York”​

RECORDINGS

  • NAXOS:  “Majestic Journey” – Original Works for Euphonium and Orchestra; Adam Frey, euphonium; New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Bruce Hangen, conducting
    ​

  • MSR Classics: “Taking Flight” – various original and adapted works for Euphonium and Orchestra; Adam Frey, euphonium; New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Bruce Hangen, conducting
    ​

  • Boston Records: “Radnofsky.com” – Contemporary American Works for the Saxophone: Theofanidis – Concerto for Alto Saxophone & Orchestra; Kenneth Radnofsky, saxophone; New Music New Haven Festival Orchestra, Bruce Hangen, conducting​

BOOKS

  • "Conducting Music Today", Bruce Hangen, Berklee Press, 2020

Other

1972-1973

  • faculty conductor, Eastman School Symphony Orchestra

  • faculty conductor, Eastman School Musica Nova

  • guest conductor, Eastman School Philharmonia

  • taught conducting class, Eastman School

  • Assistant Conductor and Cellist, Syracuse Symphony Orchestra

  • Conducting Assistant, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra

  • guest conductor, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra​

1970-1972

  • Conducting Fellow at Tanglewood two summers, at the invitation of Gunther Schuller.  Primary teachers were Bruno Maderna, Stanislaw Skrowaczewski, Seiji Ozawa, Leonard Bernstein, Michael Tilson Thomas and Gunther Schuller

  • ​In collaboration with three Eastman composition students, organized a new music ensemble called “Zeitgeist in Musik”, performing several times each of two years at Kilbourn Hall.  The mission of the ensemble was to bring into Eastman’s halls performances of the music of established, adventuresome, world-class composers whose music was not getting any play (in 1970, this was a significant number!).​

  • ​​Organized a baroque chamber orchestra, performing several times a year at the University Art Gallery.​

  • ​​Assistant to Walter Hendl (then Director of the Eastman School of Music) during 50th Anniversary celebrations and premieres.  Conducted world premiere of Alvaro Cassuto’s “Circle” for Orchestra.​

Miscellaneous activities, non-conducting

  • Served on many music panels of the National Endowment of the Arts

  • Served on Board of Directors, Maine Public Television

  • Radio announcer and producer of weekly classical music radio show, Omaha, NE

  • Professional voice-overs for commercial radio work, Denver, CO

  • Honorary tribal member, Omaha Indian Tribe

  • Certified facilitator of Integrity Systems Training program “Managing Goal Achievement”, Phoenix, AZ

  • Trained at Principle-Centered Leadership Stephen Covey’s center, Sundance, UT

  • Developed TQITA – Total Quality In The Arts, a process by which arts institutions may apply the principles of   Total Quality adapted by many of America’s leading businesses

  • Admiral member, The Great Navy of the State of Nebraska (Honorary)

  • Honorary member, National Liars Hall of Fame (!), Dannebrog, Nebraska

  • Honorary member, Newmarket Militia Co., State of Maine​

Personal

BORN: Pottstown, Pennsylvania
RAISED: Great Falls, Montana
HIGH SCHOOL: Great Falls High School
HIGHER EDUCATION: Eastman School of Music (Rochester, NY), BM in Conducting
FAMILY: two children

  • Mason Campbell Hangen

  • Allegra Marie Hangen​

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