Since 1991, the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra has done an exceptional job of amplifying their mission of “transforming people and communities through music.” Whether accompanying local celebrities like Bryan Batt for a night of Broadway classics or lending their strings to rapper Juvenile during his recent Tiny Desk Concert, the LPO truly has a little something for everyone. Recently, the organization welcomed a new conductor and music director in Indiana-native Matthew Kraemer. New to the city, Kraemer shares his visions for the future and the continued immersion into the culture of New Orleans.
Q: What was your journey to the LPO? I’m an Indiana native and began playing violin in fifth grade. The short story is I’m not from a family of musicians. But my older brother came home with a violin one day and signed me up. “It’s about time somebody in the Kramer family were to play musical instrument,” (it was said), but he didn’t want to be the one to do it. And I took to it and immediately, fell in love with music and pursued violin performance in college. I found my way into conducting by blinding some friends with pizza and forming little ad hoc orchestras. One opportunity led to another and, you know, every door that’s open has led me in a new direction, moved all over the country with a different conducting position. Most recently, I was with the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra for eight years. And I’ve renewed with them for another four and thrilled when the opportunity presented itself to come down to New Orleans and conduct this marvelous orchestra. I was invited back a second time through interviews. And you know, that’s it. rest is history there. I got a phone call in October. While we were at Disney World, with my family, and the chairman of the board, Dr. Bernie Jaffe, offered me the position.
Q: Had you been to New Orleans before your new position? I had been here a few times before, but it’s already 15-20 years ago when I was in college. So, it really it was a very fresh experience. But in no way did I ever explore the city in the ways that I have in the last 12 months. So, this has been a real immersion. And now that we’re in residence here, my wife, my children and I are just thoroughly enjoying every moment of embracing this new culture for us in this distinctly American and unique city.
Q: What is the role of the music director? So traditionally, the role of music director, and the reason for that separate title is that encompasses all the work that’s done off of the podium, whether it’s putting programs together, reaching out to artists, building collaborations within the community, you know, establishing an artistic vision for the orchestra and the path forward. And we have a very collaborative organization here, as I’m sure you know, musician governed. We have committees and the musicians bring to the table a wealth of institutional knowledge and artistic knowledge as well. So, my position really is to kind of be the spearhead for establishing this artistic vision and figuring out where this organization is going, to establish this artistic vision, and where the momentum is going to take us into the next 5-10 years.
Q: What can people expect to see from the LPO in the coming year? Much of the groundwork for the upcoming season was laid before I was ever brought on board. So, I’ll be featured on three orchestra sessions. And there will be more in future seasons, and so our audiences could expect to see if the masterworks will still be there. The great classical composers, we have some wonderful guest artists that are coming in, we’re featuring many of our own as well, we have some new initiatives such as the chamber orchestra series, which is a much more intimate space, a smaller group, the audience can be seated in the round, really up close and personal with the music, musicians. It’s a different repertoire altogether, these great local collaborations, which we’re talking about, are also in the mix going forward. And those collaborations with Big Freedia, for example, Tank and the Bangas, Lost Bayou Ramblers, that’s really brought some incredible national exposure for the orchestra as well as local exposure. We have our movie series, four different movies live orchestral accompaniment, as well. And they’ll post specials, everything from The Beatles to the Holiday Spectacular. The orchestra is here to enrich and to entertain, but also to educate young people as well. We do have an extensive education program, which I’m looking very much as a large part of my mission as a conductor is and I’m looking forward to getting thoroughly involved in that aspect of our operations as well.
Q: What are you most excited about in your new role? I’m most excited this season that I’m featured on almost every facet of the orchestras program from those movies, the live orchestral accompaniment, to the holiday program, to the classical programs. We have, in many respects different audiences for different series of things. People are interested in different things, obviously. So, this will allow me the opportunity to get to know all of our audiences and all of their interests to be able to hear from them what they would like from their orchestra going forward. I think it’s very important that we do listen to our patrons, as we continue to grow and to expand our brand in the community. And I am very excited about what an orchestra can be in the 21st century because orchestral music it’s not just classical music, it’s orchestral music, it can back up anything from gospel to rock, opera, ballet, Broadway theater, it’s amazing what a large group of talented musicians can do together. And I think that’s really where we are. We’re exploring all the possibilities, ways that we can increase our exposure within the community and to reach out to as many people as, as possible effecting great change here within New Orleans and regionally and nationally as well.
