Leon Gregorian

ABOUT

Leon Gregorian retired from the College of Music in 2012 after 28 years of service as Professor of Music, Director of Orchestras, and head of the Graduate Orchestral Conducting program, which he began. Professor Gregorian joined MSU in 1984 and built the orchestra program into one that is recognized nationally and internationally for its excellence. Under his leadership, the MSU Symphony Orchestra performed in such prestigious venues as Avery Fisher Hall and Alice Tully Hall in New York, Orchestra Hall in Chicago, and Orchestra Hall in Detroit. At the invitation of the Austrian government, Professor Gregorian and the MSU Chamber Orchestra participated in the worldwide celebration of the 250th anniversary of Mozart’s birth with concerts in Salzburg and Vienna. Professor Gregorian guest-conducted orchestras in Venezuela, Mexico, South Korea, Italy, Romania, Armenia, Russia, Brazil, Argentina, the Czech Republic, Australia, and the People’s Republic of China, as well as orchestras throughout the United States, including the Boston Symphony, Boston Pops, and Boston Esplanade Orchestras. He has recorded for PBS, Koch International Classics, Crystal, and Arizona Records. A ten-CD set, “Teaching Music through Performance in Orchestra,” was recorded with the MSU Symphony Orchestra for worldwide distribution by GIA Publications. Professor Gregorian received the Teacher-Scholar Award, the Apollo Award, and the Distinguished Faculty Award in recognition of the international stature of his teaching, conducting, and outreach achievements.