“As the resident conductor of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra from 2007 to 2011, Stuart Chafetz directed works composed by some classical-music heavyweights [and] Pops and family concerts consisting of lighter types of music,” writes Peter Tonguette in Sunday’s (6/10) Columbus Dispatch (OH). “The conductor noted [that] Pops … fans … ‘were coming for the Bee Gees, or they were coming for Randy Newman… ‘I often ask, ‘First time to the symphony, round of applause.’ The whole place erupted, and I thought: “There’s something here…. You know, this is my mission.” ’ The 54-year-old conductor [also] principal timpanist for the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra in New York … will soon bring his zeal to central Ohio for the Columbus Symphony’s annual Picnic With the Pops series. Chafetz, named in November as the Columbus Symphony’s principal Pops conductor, will lead his first concert in that role on Saturday evening, when the symphony teams with the Little River Band … a group … established in 1975…. ‘Selfishly, they’re one of my favorite bands,’ Chafetz said.” Says Columbus Symphony General Manager Pavana] Stetzik, “He’s one of those people whom you don’t call ‘Maestro’—he’s ‘Stu.’ He’s just really down-to-earth and friendly, and I think that people will really love him once they get to know him.’ ”
Posted June 13, 2018
Stuart Chafetz photo by Pat Johnson
