Bradford S. Chase
Bradford Chase is currently in his first year as the Symphony Orchestra conductor for the Youth Orchestra of Palm Beach County. Originally from Rhode Island, Mr. Chase has earned degrees from the New England Conservatory of Music and the University of Connecticut in Percussion Performance and Orchestral Conducting. He was an active conductor and performer across the New England region before moving to Florida in 2002.
While in New England, he spent six years at Harvard University, conducting a wide range of concerts and musical productions including operas, concerts, and musicals. Highlights from this time include four fully staged operas, a professional CD release of The Pirates of Penzance with the Harvard Radcliffe Gilbert and Sullivan Players, and the creation of the Harvard Radcliffe Music Project, a group dedicated to performing lesser known works by well known composers. Additionally, Mr. Chase was the Director of Orchestral Studies at the Performing Arts School of Worcester from 1996-2001. Under his direction the Worcester Youth Symphony Orchestra, the senior orchestra at the school, tripled in size, doubled the number of concerts given, and began an international concert tour program, including tours to Italy and Eastern Europe. Additionally, Mr. Chase oversaw the development of the junior orchestra, and started a new chamber music program and wind ensemble.
In 2002-03 Mr. Chase moved to Florida and was named the Orchestra Director at the Douglas Anderson School of the Arts in Jacksonville, FL. Although he was only there short time, the program flourished under his direction. In addition to strengthening the existing string ensemble, he created a symphony orchestra, chamber orchestra, and chamber music program. From 2003-08, Mr. Chase was the Orchestra Director at the Dillard Center for the Arts in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. During his tenure, the orchestra department grew from a single orchestra to a full program, including two orchestras, chamber music, and academic music classes, including music theory (including Advanced Placement) and music history.
In 2008 Mr. Chase begins his first year as the Choral Director at Wellington Community High School in Wellington, Florida.
Additionally, Mr. Chase is both a percussionist and a tenor. He has performed extensively, both in the United States and abroad, and has worked under such conductors as Nemi Jarvi, Simon Rattle, Larry Rachleff, and Benjamin Zander.