UpBeat from Everything Conducting

Hosts John Devlin and Enrico Lopez-Yañez chat about the upcoming season, and the best way to spend a summer to recharge, and prepare for the year ahead. Then, UpBeat welcomes Sonja Thoms, Executive Director of the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra.  Sonja chats with our hosts about collaborative leadership, the experience of being a first-year ED, and her vision for an orchestra that serves its community best. 

Hosts John Devlin and Enrico Lopez-Yañez reconnect at the end of the season in front of their live studio audience as part of the Everything but Conducting seminar. Then, UpBeat welcomes Emmy-winning and Grammy-nominated composer Adam Schoenberg onto the pod. Adam chats with our hosts about the arc of commissioning projects, how a composer can help the conductor during a rehearsal process, and the details of a recording session from inside the booth. During the coda, John and Enrico reflect on the topics of the day and field questions from the live audience. 

Hosts John Devlin and Enrico Lopez-Yañez catch up about the 23-24 season so far. Then, UpBeat welcomes the incredible American Singer-Songwriter Cody Fry. Cody thinks about his music with the orchestra in mind from the very beginning, and that symphonic influence is deeply felt. Your favorite hosts explore a variety of topics with Cody including how to best collaborate with pop artists, how he builds shows, and his view on performing "old favorites" versus new music for audiences. 

Hosts John Devlin and Enrico Lopez-Yañez discuss all the ways in which artists express themselves in writing and how to do this in the best possible way. They chat about resumes, biographies, cover letters and social media in this episode's 4/4. Then, UpBeat welcomes a roundtable of artists from the Lake George Music Festival (where John and Enrico were in residence in August, 2023). Check out their conversation with Music Director Roger Kalia, Concertmaster Amalia Hall, and Conducting Fellow Joshua Edward. We hope you enjoy this latest episode of UpBeat!

Season Five is here! Hosts John Devlin and Enrico Lopez-Yañez are joined in the premiere LIVE RECORDED episode by Roger Kalia, Music Director of the Lake George Music Festival; Symphony NH; the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra; and Orchestra Santa Monica. The discussion centers around the creation of one's own music festival, advice for young conductors on early career opportunities, and connecting with our communities. 

Hosts John Devlin and Enrico Lopez-Yañez answer the tough questions in this first-ever LIVE and IN-PERSON episode of UpBeat. Fielding questions from the participants of the inaugural Everything But Conducting seminar in conjunction with the Omaha Symphony, the guys address lots of topics including the history of the EC organization, managing relationships while guest conducting, and leadership philosophies. We've still got our introduction, fake ad, and coda for you as well... so give a listen to the finale of season 4 of UpBeat! 

Hosts John Devlin and Enrico Lopez-Yañez are joined by Ankush Bahl in the 4/4 to discuss crafting the perfect audition video. Then, UpBeat welcomes Erik Rönmark, President and CEO of the Detroit Symphony. The discussion centers around community-focused programming, how to stand out as a young conductor, and a discussion of the search process for the DSO's new Music Director, Jader Bignamini. 

Hosts John Devlin and Enrico Lopez-Yañez discuss everything you need to know to plan the perfect week with a professional orchestra in the 4/4. Then, UpBeat welcomes Angel Velez, a veteran of the TV and Film conducting world. He chats with the guys about the world of click tracks and streamers, how to rehearse and record in the studio, and what orchestral conductors need to know before their first film gig. 

Hosts John Devlin and Enrico Lopez-Yañez chat about rehearsal psychology with Col. Jason Fettig, Director of the United States Marine Band in the 4/4. Then, UpBeat welcomes Diane Wittry, Music Director of the Allentown Symphony Orchestra and the Garden State Philharmonic. In the interview, our trio of conductors chat about Diane's "Beyond the Baton" philosophies, her approach to conducting gesture, and about the amazing programs that she has developed in Allentown to connect with her community.

On this special-edition episode of UpBeat, the guys collaborate on the pod with the amazing hosts of the Soundweavers podcast: Rosanna Moore and Blaire Koerner. You'll hear the normal intro and coda, while the body of the episode is a wide-ranging four-way discussion.  Topics of the talk include the challenges and the joys of working with orchestras and chamber groups, business practices that can help you succeed in either setting, and industry trends that we see in the future of classical music. It's a great chance to hear John and Enrico get asked some very interesting questions, and also get to know the amazing Soundweavers folks. Enjoy!