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With performances described by reviewers as "beautiful and exciting," "lively and stylish," and "first-rate," it is no wonder that Wes Kenney continues to grow in demand as a guest conductor. During the 2001-2002 season, Maestro Kenney returned to the Buffalo Philharmonic and appeared for the first time with the San Juan Symphony. He made his debut in 2001 with the Long Beach Symphony and that same season was invited twice to conduct the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Kenney recently made repeat appearances with the Alabama Symphony. His concert with the Dubuque Symphony in 2000 was called the "best performance of the season" by the local press. He has also appeared with the Savannah Symphony, Sewanee Music Festival, Richmond Symphony, Spokane Symphony, Virginia Ballet Theater, Norfolk Chamber Consort, Coastal Valleys Symphony, Universal Ballet Korea, Virginia Waterfront International Arts Festival, and the Virginia Chorale.
Now in his sixth season as the Virginia Symphony's Associate Conductor, Wes Kenney has appeared more than 300 times with that orchestra. He is responsible for the programming and conducting of Subscription, Pops, Family and Young People's Concerts as well as promoting the symphony throughout the region in speaking engagements.
Mr. Kenney was Co-principal Conductor of the Oakland Lyric Opera for four seasons and Music Director of the Virginia Ballet Theater. During the 2001-2002 season he returned to William and Mary and in May 2002 will lead their orchestra on their first-ever overseas tour to Italy. Awarded the prestigious Carmen Dragon Conducting Prize in 1992, Wes Kenney served as Music Director of the Oakland Youth Orchestra for five seasons. He led that orchestra on a successful tour of Asia in 1995 and Central Europe in 1993. Mr. Kenney's programming for OYO won ASCAP awards in 1995 and 1996. He served on the faculty at San Francisco State University from 1994-96, conducting the University Symphony, teaching graduate instrumental conducting, and working as musical director for large theatrical productions.
Mr. Kenney has also enjoyed success directing from the orchestra pit as well having conducted for opera, ballet, and musical theater. In 2002 he headed to New York to conduct Taconic Opera’s production of Carmen. He has appeared as conductor for Gianni Schicchi and Die Kluge for OLO, Dear World, Into the Woods, and Secret Garden for SFSU, Oliver for TOP Theater, Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat for USC, and No, No, Nanette for the Masquers Club. For the latter he won a LAWEE award as music director of the year. In addition he has conducted numerous performances of The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, The Firebird, and many other dance works.
Mr. Kenney is a graduate of the University of Southern California and San Francisco State University. Additional studies include three years as a fellow at the Conductors Institute, several American Symphony Orchestra League and Conductors Guild Workshops, and the Sandpoint Festival. His teachers include Harold Farberman, Hans Beer, Gunther Schuller, Hans Swarovsky and Miltiardes Carides.
Mr. Kenney is currently past-president of the Conductors Guild, a 2000 member service organization to the conducting profession.
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