Stevenson University’s Art Community Grows with the Addition of Two New Directors

Stevenson University announces the appointment of Harlan D. Parker, Ph.D., as Music Director and Conductor of the Greenspring Valley Orchestra and the appointment of Beverly Gandolfo, Choral Director.

Parker brings a wealth of experience to his new position having been the conductor of The Peabody Wind Ensemble and Coordinator of the Music Education Division at the Peabody Institute of the John Hopkins University since the fall of 1990. He also held the position of Music Director and Conductor of the Peabody Youth Orchestra between 2007 and 2016 where he nearly tripled the number of members.

Parker is currently a member of The American Bandmasters Association, an organization whose membership is by invitation. He is a past president of The Conductors Guild and is active regionally, nationally and internationally as a guest conductor, having worked with professional musicians and students from all 50 states and over 40 countries.

Gandolfo is also bringing decades of experience to Stevenson as she has been involved in community and professional musical theatre for nearly 50 years. Gandolfo taught choral music and directs the Carroll Singers, a 50-voice community chorus based in Westminster. She is the pianist and choir director at Emory United Methodist Church in Upperco, Md. Gandolfo remains in demand as a guest conductor, clinician, adjudicator and accompanist.

“We are very fortunate to have two gifted and talented music educators joining the Stevenson University community,” said Mark Lortz, Director of Bands. “The University Singers and the Greenspring Valley Orchestra at Stevenson will continue to thrive under our new leadership.”

Stevenson University is the third-largest independent university in Maryland with more than 4,100 students pursuing bachelor’s programs at locations in Stevenson and Owings Mills as well as online master’s and bachelor’s programs.