ENDORSEMENTS
for
Diane Wittry, Conductor
________________________________________________________________

Diane Wittry is a very musical musician and conductor. She conducted many large works during a two-week long course that I taught, both in 2006 and 2007. She really knew all of the works that she conducted. She is a very experienced conductor. Her knowledge of analytical form, harmonic structure, and orchestral instruments is excellent. Her baton technique is very clear and expressive. She is a pleasant and articulate person who conducts with warmth and communicates artistic feeling to the orchestra. I warmly recommend her for any professional orchestral conducting position that she may apply for. Also, her new book, "Beyond the Baton" is fantastic for conductors and music lovers.

Jorma Panula
Professor for Conducting
Sibelius Academy, Finland
________________________________________________________________

Diane Wittry is a conductor who has built a remarkable career over the last few years. I am familiar with her work and can confirm that Diane is a fine conductor who knows how to communicate with her musicians, knows her scores, has very strong interpretive convictions and above all, does truly care for the composer at hand. She is a very hard worker and is always searching for new musical ideas. Her extensive experience with a variety of orchestras has led to an impressive repertoire. Ms. Wittry is a warm and compassionate person who can be assertive and yet always finds a compelling way to get her viewpoint across. I can recommend Diane with full confidence.

Gustav Meier
Conductor/Faculty
Peabody Institute of Music
_________________________________________________________________

I know Diane Wittry to be a visionary leader with a dynamic personality. As a conductor, Diane has the highest of standards and can lead an orchestra to consistent improvement. Her performances are well reviewed, and her programming choices never fail to generate “buzz” in the community. In the community, Diane’s engaging personality makes her an asset to every organization lucky enough to work with her.

Devin Thomas
Director of Operations and Education
The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra
_________________________________________________________________

As a former permanent member of the Royal Stockholm (Sweden) Philharmonic’s cello section I particularly want to comment on Ms. Wittry’s very fine work before (!) and during rehearsals. I have had the pleasure of working with many world famous conductors. But I have never experienced the high level of planning Ms. Wittry provides. Ms. Wittry’s work on the podium is very efficient. Ms. Wittry always works diligently and most patiently with the balance of sound, intonation and rhythm. I never feel that time is wasted! The atmosphere during the rehearsals is always pleasant. And the results have been ever more exciting and appreciated. People are astounded by how the orchestra has improved under Diane Wittry’s leadership.

Gunnar Sahlin
Principal Cellist
Norwalk Symphony Orchestra
________________________________________________________________

Working with Diane, I am without a doubt that she has all the necessary skills needed to enjoy a successful career as a conductor. She possesses a remarkable technique and an impressive memory. Furthermore, she has displayed wide experience in rehearsal and is able to adapt quickly to a variety of situations. Diane also has a wide knowledge and understanding of repertoire. Together with her talent and musicianship, she will go far in the profession.

Leonid O. Korchmar
Conductor of the Kirov Opera and Ballet
Professor, Rimsky-Korsakov State Conservatory
______________________________________________________________

Based upon my experience with Diane, she is someone who more than fulfills the role of a true musical director. I have watched Diane rehearse and I have attended her concerts. I am also impressed with her outstanding skills as a concert programmer. Diane Wittry leads and encourages musicians to play exceptionally well, and I believe that her uplifting effect on an orchestra is as impressive as any I have witnessed.

Paul Tobias
Cello Soloist
_________________________________________________________________

Diane Wittry is always able to get the best results from every orchestra member. Demonstrating authority and knowledge, Maestra Wittry is well appreciated by the musicians who work hard towards achieving her goals. Her musical ideas are innovating and refreshing for even the most experienced musician. Diane has the ability to study the score in a profound way. In her work she focuses on large ensemble issues like balance, intonation, rhythmic accuracy and phrases, as well as minor issues like bowings and unified bow placement. Another aspect of a good conductor is their ability to create the right atmosphere during the concert. Diane’s enthusiasm and stage presence capture the audience’s heart and provide the musicians with the confidence to perform their best.

Eliezer Gutman
Concertmaster
Allentown Symphony
_______________________________________________________________

Diane brought to the Allentown Symphony a vision and a commitment to work with the Executive Director and the Board to: raise the performance level of the Symphony Orchestra, increase dramatically the Outreach Program for music education; especially to the youth in our community, present concerts designed to increase the scope and size of our audience and to help the Board to raise the funds necessary to support her artistic and outreach vision for the Orchestra and the Association. She achieved all these goals!

Bill Edmundson
Past President
Allentown Symphony Orchestra
_______________________________________________________________

Diane was terrific in her ability to motivate and inspire all of the musicians to collectively reach their highest potential. She was also extremely efficient in her use of rehearsal time and was excellent in selecting repertoire. She is a fine conductor with a technique that is clear, and she conveys well her musical ideas to the orchestra. She also completely understands the job of a conductor in fundraising, community engagement, and working with a board of directors. She is very flexible and a wonderful team player, as well as a strong leader.

Sara A Pflueger
Past General Manager
Omaha Symphony
_________________________________________________________________

I have had the opportunity to play in the symphony under Diane’s direction. Through this experience, I learned about her audience-enticing creativity in programs selections for classical, pops, youth and family concerts, her exemplary conducting and rehearsal techniques, her skills in organization, and her ability to motivate musicians she works with to reach their highest potential. She is simply a musician of the highest order, and one who provides inspiration for performer and listener alike.

Dr. James Simmons
Clarinet/Saxophone
President, Lamar University
_________________________________________________________________

Diane Wittry did an excellent job leading the Symphony. She is a wonderful musician, worked well with the orchestra, and gave a terrific pair of concerts. I was very impressed with her musical abilities—she recognized and corrected problems, she made musical sense of the works, she knew how to handle the orchestra. I felt that when she conducted, she had a sound image of what she wanted and knew how to give direction to the players to achieve that image. Her eye contact and communication was with the entire orchestra, not just the first desk of players. Ms. Wittry was extremely organized and made efficient use of her time. The orchestra responded well to her on both a musical and personal level. I think she got excellent results.

Rebecca Jemian
Theory/Bassoon
Faculty, Ithaca College
________________________________________________________________

It is like a breath of fresh air to play these youth concerts for the Allentown Symphony. Ms. Wittry does an amazing job of planning and presenting a truly educational and entertaining concert. Her manner of speaking to the youngsters is inspiring and never condescending. Her concerts are unique, informative and musically uplifting. After all these years I feel as if someone is finally doing justice to the challenge of youth concerts and that music is fun again.

Frank J. Kaderabek
Principal Trumpet
Philadelphia Orchestra (retired)
________________________________________________________________

Diane is an extremely musical musician, and she quickly won the respect of our Orchestra, which is not always easy for a young conductor to do. She used her limited rehearsal time efficiently, and was able to thoroughly prepare the ensemble in a short amount of time. Her programming and presentation were very creative, and her rapport with the audience was extraordinary. I know Diane personally and find her to be invariably pleasant, bright, and positive in her approach to any situation. This, combined with her considerable musicianship and talent, serves her well as she builds what promises to be a very successful career.

James Ruggirello
Former Director of Educational Programs
Los Angeles Philharmonic
_________________________________________________________________