Did You Know?
The conductor, or leader of the orchestra, is sometimes called "Maestro", which means "master" or "teacher" in Italian.
David Loebel became the Music Director and Conductor of the Memphis Symphony in 1999. His job as conductor includes not only directing the concerts, but also choosing the music to be played and representing the orchestra in the community.
Maestro Loebel was influenced to become a musician by his father, who was a violinist. He credits his mother and his fourth grade teacher with influencing him to believe in himself and to take education seriously.
Maestro Loebel was born in Cleveland, OH. He started out as a pianist, and discovered conducting when he was a student at Northwestern University. Before coming to Memphis, he was the Associate Principal Conductor of the St. Louis Symphony.
Music has brought Maestro Loebel all over the world. His favorite performances have been at Carnegie Hall in New York, on the lawn of the US Capitol in Washington, D.C. and at the Opera House in Syndey, Australia.
Outside of music, Maestro Loebel's interests include reading, watching movies, and spending time with his wife, Jane Cawthorn. Just in case he's not busy enough, he's also learning to speak German.
Maestro Loebel has appeared as a guest conductor with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, San Fransisco Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Seattle Symphony Orchestra and the Brooklyn Philharmonic Orchestra.
