CONDUCTORS INSTITUTE HISTORY - By Dr. Donald Portnoy

The Conductors Institute will celebrate its 50th anniversary July 2026. The Institute was
established in 1976 by Dr. Donald Portnoy at West Virginia University in Morgantown, West
Virginia. Dr. Portnoy was artist in residence and conductor of the symphony and chamber
orchestras at WVU. During the same period, he was conductor of the Pittsburgh Civic
Orchestra, Music Director of the Pittsburgh Opera Theater. Also soloist and guest conductor
with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. In 1986 the Institute moved to the University of South
Carolina in Columbia, South Carolina. Dr. Portnoy held the Ira Koger Endowed Chair in the
Fine Arts at USC. He was also director of orchestral studies, and conductor of the USC
Symphony and Chamber orchestras. He was also music director of the Augusta Symphony in
Augusta, Georgia for 18 years. In 2024 the Institute moved to the College of Charleston in
historic Charleston, South Carolina.

This Memorial Day, Join a National Moment of Remembrance Through Music

By Retired Major Brian Dix, United States Marine Corps, an independent Conductor & Composer from San Diego California

  In anticipation of America's momentous 250th birthday in 2026, the world of classical music stands poised to create    a year-long celebration extending beyond the traditional festivities of Independence Day. Amidst the grandeur,       there exists a delightful consideration of ‘diamonds in the rough’—musical works that skillfully strike the delicate     balance in concert repertoire of patriotism without veering into the realm of going full-blown “Pops.”