Maestro Bruce Lauffer
Maestro Lauffer has conducted over 80 concerts throughout the United States, this past year. Maestro Lauffer is currently in his eighth season as Music Director and Conductor of the McKeesport Symphony Orchestra. The past several seasons, under his direction, the MSO has regularly been recorded and broadcast on WQED-FM (Pittsburgh) as part of their series, "Performances in Pittsburgh" and by WRCT-FM (Carnegie Mellon University's Radio Station; Pittsburgh, PA). Future broadcasts with the McKeesport Symphony are scheduled for this upcoming season. Exciting times are ahead, as the MSO steps forward with new plans to expand into a regional orchestra. The MSO has plans to reach a broader audience and extend its educational partnerships throughout Mon-Valley, Allegheny County, and the Southwestern Pennsylvania region.
In addition to his responsibilities with the McKeesport Symphony, Maestro Lauffer is the conductor of the Latshaw Pops Orchestra. Maestro Lauffer has conducted for Latshaw Productions for the past seven years and has conducted tours throughout the Eastern United States with these outstanding shows in Latshaw Production’s - "Fabulous Fifties," “As Time Goes By," "Puttin’ On The Ritz", "American Journey," "Steppin' Out On Broadway," "The Crooners and Their Music," "Octoberfest," and "The Christmas Spectacular." Maestro Lauffer just conducted a new recording with the Latshaw Pops Orchestra (Christmas CD, release date December 2011).
Following an intense review process, the Butler County Symphony Association has selected Maestro Lauffer as one of the three finalists for the Symphony’s Music Director/Conductor position. The three conductors are Maestro Thomas Hong, Maestro Matthew Kraemer, and Maestro Lauffer. As a part of the Symphony’s year long Music Director/Conductor Search, all three gentlemen will serve as Guest Conductors during the 2011-2012 Season. The Symphony Board began its search this past summer for a new Music Director and received applications from conductors representing 20 states, as well as Canada, Chile, Malaysia, and Spain. Maestro Lauffer has also served recently as guest conductor for the world renowned River City Brass Band. These concerts with the River City Brass were enthusiastically received by both the audience and musicians, with concerts around the 4th of July drawing crowds of over 9,000 patrons!
Maestro Lauffer earned his Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education from West Virginia University where he studied conducting with Don Wilcox, Donald Portnoy, and Jerry Goldsmith. He received his Master of Music Degree in 1987 from Baylor University. While at Baylor University, Mr. Lauffer studied conducting with Michael Haithcock and Gary Sousa and composition with Richard Willis. In the spring of 1993, Mr. Lauffer began doctoral studies at Penn State University. Private study in conducting has been with the internationally renowned master teacher Elizabeth A. H. Green; Maestro Louis Lane (former Assistant Conductor of the Cleveland Orchestra and former Music Director of the Dallas Symphony), and Maestro Larry Rachleff (Music Director of The Rhode Island Philharmonic). In May of 2007, Mr. Lauffer is one of ten conductors in the country invited to serve as a conducting intern with the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra and Maestro Jorge Mester. Additional studies in conducting have been with Frederick Fennell, H. Robert Reynolds, Carl Topilow, Craig Kirchoff, Eugene Corporan, Alan McMurray, and William Wakefield.
In the fall of 2002, Maestro Lauffer was appointed the Music Director and Conductor of The Royal Sylvan Philharmonic. The orchestra has performed at the world class Nemacolin Woodlands Spa and Resort, as well as throughout the Pittsburgh area. In 2004, the Philharmonic was commissioned to record a compact disc with composer/pianist, Jace Vek, (reached #5 in the world on New Age/Neoclassical Music in March 2005). The Royal Sylvan Philharmonic and Maestro Lauffer were featured in a concert of the music of jazz legend, Delsey McKay. In March of 2004, Irish singer & television personality, Cahal Dunne will be performed with the Royal Sylvan Philharmonic in a series of concerts throughout Western Pennsylvania. These concerts were all received enthusiastically with standing ovations! Future recordings with the Royal Sylvan Philharmonic are scheduled once again, with 2 Time Emmy Award Composer/Recording Artist – Jace Vek (Spring 2012).
In addition to his conducting responsibilities, Maestro Lauffer is a seasoned and respected music educator. With almost thirty years of experience in both university settings and public schools, he is currently an adjuct professor with Argosy University. Mr. Lauffer is currently an adjunct instructor at Argosy University and has taught on the faculties at Indiana State University (Associate Director of Bands/Director of Marching Band) and at Washington and Jefferson College (Interim Director of Bands). Mr. Lauffer served as the Chairman of the Music Department and Director of Bands for the East Allegheny School District. During his tenure, the ensembles received state and national recognition for their excellence. Mr. Lauffer has also taught on the faculty at Jeannette School District. Maestro Lauffer was the Director of Music and Dean of Arts for the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School and the Music Director and Conductor of the Beaver Valley Philharmonic from 2006-2009. In December 2006 and 2007, the BVP's holiday concert was broadcast live on KDKA radio to over 33 states in the US and half of Canada. He has served as Music Director of The Pittsburgh Civic Orchestra (fourteen seasons), the Mon-Valley Youth Orchestra, and the North Pittsburgh Civic Symphony. He has been a popular Guest Conductor with The Edgewood Symphony Orchestra and the Three Rivers Young Peoples Orchestra.
Maintaining a very active conducting schedule, both professionally and educationally, Maestro Lauffer is in demand as a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator throughout the country. He is a frequent guest on university and college campuses, conducting and lecturing. Maestro Lauffer has won praise from such composers as David Stock, Karel Husa, Warren Benson, Michael Moricz, Todd Goodman, Neil DePonte, Richard Willis, Ruth Meyer Sacks, Jace Vek, Christopher Fraley and David Williams for his interpretative performances of their compositions. Mr. Lauffer is very active in commissioning new compositions for orchestra and winds. To date, he has conducted the world premier of 23 compositions, which he commissioned for orchestra and band.
Mr. Lauffer is a Master Mason in the Grand Lodge of F.& A. M. of Pennsylvania, Jeannette Lodge No. 750. Mr. Lauffer resides in Beaver County, Pennsylvania with his wife, Sharon, and children Benjamin, Brittany, Gregory, and Robert.