Las Cruces, New Mexico is privileged to feature an outstanding symphony orchestra. A symphony orchestra of this caliber is just one of the many reasons that so many people have chosen Las Cruces as their home. One of the things that makes the Las Cruces Symphony Orchestra so special is our music director/conductor Lonnie Klein.
I’d like to take a minute to introduce you to Lonnie and let you know why he is such an asset to our community!
In addition to an extensive regular concert season with the Las Cruces Symphony Orchestra, Lonnie Klein has guest conducted regularly with orchestras in Mexico, Canada, Italy, Germany, Turkey, Colombia (South America) as well as orchestras in the United States. In May of 2009, Klein is slated to conduct the Baden-Baden Symphony (Germany) at the International Toledo Festival in Spain. Additionally he conducted the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra in October, 2008 on their second Pops concert series. The 2009-2010 season Klein will guest conduct the Traverse Symphony (Michigan) the Springfield Symphony (Massachuettes), Northwest Deutsch Philharmonie (Germany) and Sinfonica Orchestra Italiana (Italy).
In the summer of 2008 Klein made his South American debut with the Orquesta Filarmonica del Valle del Cauca in Cali, Colombia. Last season Klein guest conducted on two occasions the Orquesta Filarmonica del Estado de Chihuahua in Mexico, the Europa Philharmonie in Germany and the Orchestra Sinfonica Della Provincia in Italy. Other European concerts include conducting the Milano Classico Orchestra on two separate occasions in Milan and Las Spezia and the Solisti di Perugia Orchestra in the Piazza Novembre in a concert entitled “A Night Under the Stars” in which over 12,000 people were in attendance. In May 2004 and March, 2005, Klein conducted concerts in Adana, Turkey with the Cukurova Devlet Senfona Orkestra which were broadcast live on Turkish television.
As a Pops conductor, he has produced and conducted concerts with such celebrated artists as Doc Severinsen, Mariachi Cobre, The Temptations, The Contours, The Dukes of Dixieland, 5 By Design, The Beatles, Sandi Patti, Lee Greenwood, Daniel Rodriquez, and “Simply Sinatra” with Steve Lippia.
Lonnie Klein is committed to performing music of our time. Since his appointment the LCSO has given world premiers of new music especially commissioned for the orchestra. Noted composers include Peter Inness (England), Reinhard Seehafer (Germany), Oliver Payan (Mexico), Joan Tower (American) Bill McGlaughlin (American) Steve Chatman (Canada) and slated for the 2008-09 season, Joseph Schwanter. In 2005 and 2007 the LCSO was featured on National Public Radio’s Performance Today, which was heard in all fifty states and Sirius Radio. In June 2006, Klein was asked by Joan Tower to discuss the LCSO performances of her new work Made in America at the American Symphony Orchestra League’s annual conference in Los Angeles.
From his inaugural concert with the Las Cruces Symphony Orchestra at New Mexico State University in October 1999, Music Director Lonnie Klein has led the orchestra to new levels of artistic excellence, with high audience acclaim, rave reviews and nine consecutive seasons of sold out concerts! Joseph Schwantner, noted American composer said, “Lonnie’s industry and energy knows no bounds and he has propelled the orchestra into an ensemble that possesses great musical integrity and an ability to engage new and challenging music in a manner that is truly exceptional.”
Klein’s spirited vision includes a deep commitment to education and community. Under his leadership and guidance the LCSO has expanded its outreach programs for young and old. He has featured educational outreach troupes such as Tales and Scales, Dan Kamen Comedy Tours and Lyn Dillies’ “Magic at the Symphony.” More than 20,000 area children will benefit from in-school programming and opportunities to experience the orchestra in concert. For those wanting to deepen their experience of music, Klein offers a series of pre-performance lectures to the public prior to every Classics Series concert.
Lonnie Klein holds a Doctorate in Performance from the University of Illinois, a Master of Music from Michigan State University, and a Bachelor’s from Murray State University.
To find out more about the Las Cruces Symphony Orchestra visit their web site.
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