Kenneth Freed, Conductor
POSITIONS
Music Director, Mankato Symphony Orchestra, 2007-2019
- Increased orchestra membership by 15 players
- Garnered favorable media coverage, including a League of American Orchestras Symphony magazine feature story
- Served as League of American Orchestras National Conference panelist, 2012
- Interviewed on National Public Radio regarding Dakota Music Tour project, 2012
- With artistic and administration colleagues, increased volume and variety of programming including: Chamber Music Series, Family Series, Learning Through Music Summer Reading Readiness Program, Minnesota State Arts Board-funded touring, southern Minnesota touring through the Traverse des Sioux Library System
- Increased engagement with diverse audiences
- With executive director and board leaders, increased contributed income over 50 percent; regularly cultivating, soliciting, and steward individual contributions, and participating in grant proposal preparation and site visits
- Helped to lead successful strategic planning initiatives, 2008, 2012
- Participated in legislative advocacy for state funding of a new performance venue, 2012
- 2012 NEA Fast Tract Award for “Deconstructing Don Quixote” Concert
- 2018 NEA Fast Track award for “Inside Out” Concert
- 2019 Received $500,000 Bequest, largest gift to the Symphony in its history.
OTHER CONDUCTING
- Conductor, Junior Division, Greenwood Music Camp, 2002-2012
- Assistant conductor, Minnesota Orchestra, 2006-2007
- Music Director, Minnesota Public Radio and National Public Radio “Pipe Dreams” broadcast, 2005
- Conductor, Norwalk Youth Symphony, 1996-1998
- Branford College Chamber Orchestra, Yale University, 1985
GUEST CONDUCTING
- Guest conductor, Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra, 2008
- Guest conductor, Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra, 2008
Violist, Minnesota Orchestra,1998-present
- Minnesota Orchestra called “the greatest orchestra in the world” by Alex Ross of The New Yorker
- Chair, Artistic Advisory Committee, 2010-2012, 2014-18
- Participated in fundraising, including performances and presentations at donor cultivation events in Florida, Minneapolis, and Arizona
- Member, search committees for positions in artistic planning, 2009
Founder, President, Board Chair: Learning Through Music Consulting Group, 2005-present
- Nonprofit dedicated to music integration in elementary education, providing research, university internships, and professional development for educators
- Raise over $70,000 in annual contributed income
- Featured in Music in Education National Conference Journal, org, and Teaching Artist Journal
- Delivered presentations at Music in Education National Conferences, 2006-2010
- Developed partnerships with the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis Public Schools, MacPhail Center for Music, Mankato Public Schools, and Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies
PRIOR INSTRUMENTAL EXPERIENCE
- Rosalyra String Quartet, Second Violin, 2003-2009
- New York Philharmonic, Substitute Violist, 1996-98
- Manhattan String Quartet, Second Violin, 1993-98
- Richmond Symphony Orchestra, Principal Viola, 1991-93
AWARDS AND HONORS
- AlumniVentures Award, Yale University, 2012
- Broadus Earle Memorial Prize, Yale University, 1987
- Stoeckel Chamber Music Prize, Yale University, 1986
- William Waithe Concerto Competition, Yale University, 1980
SERVICE
- Board Chair, Yale Alumni Association of the Northwest 2018-Present
- Board Member, Education Committee Chair, American Composers Forum, 2007-2012
- Board Member, Saint Paul Conservatory for the Performing Arts, 2007-2011
- Board Member, Yale Alumni Association of the Upper Midwest, 2007-2011
- Board Chair, Learning Through Music 2011-12
- McNally Smith College of Music Foundation 2011-12
PUBLICATIONS (Selected)
- Freed, K.H. (September, 2006). Learning Through Music: From implementation to improvement, Org.
- Freed, K. H., Scripp, L., Lundell, D., Sevett, C. & Vaillancourt, J. (2007). A prototype learning laboratory case study: Ramsey IFAC School Learning Laboratory, Journal for Music-in-Education. Boston: The New England Conservatory Music in Education National Consortium.
- Freed, K. H. (June, 2010). The inner voice, Minnesota Orchestra Showcase.
MUSIC TRAINING
National Conductors Institute, National Symphony Orchestra, 2005
Jorma Panula Master Classes, National Arts Center, Ottawa, 2004
Aspen Music Festival Fellowship, violin/viola, 1985, 1986
New York String Orchestra, violin, 1979, 1981
Cleveland Chamber Music Seminar, violin, 1980
Juilliard Pre-College, violin, 1975-79
HIGHER EDUCATION
Master of Music, Violin Performance, Yale University School of Music, 1987
Bachelor of Arts, Literature, Yale College, 1983
REFERENCES
Available upon request