Broadway Conductor Returns to His Roots for Concert, Master Class

The LOU Side-by-Side Concert is a celebration of music, mentorship and collaboration featuring Waldrop and Tim Oliver, Ole Miss director of bands, as guest conductors. The 7:30 p.m. event is free and open to the public.

Leading up to the concert, Waldrop will lead weekend auditions, rehearsals and workshops on campus as an artist-in-residence. Waldrop is a perfect choice to mentor students and help them gain professional skills, said Bradley Robinson, UM professor of music.

"During his time here, I watched this fine young man excel as a student, solo pianist, accompanist – as I engaged him for my church choir – and, of course, as a singing actor on stage as we performed together in opera – a joy," Robinson said. "His spectacular career comes as no surprise considering the remarkable creativity he showed at his young age.

"I can think of no better mentor (and role model) for our students than the talented and caring man that is William Waldrop."

Selected high school students will train and perform side-by-side with the LOU Symphony Orchestra and Opera Theatre, developing the skills essential for professional musicianship.

A celebrated figure in the Broadway world, William Waldrop brings a wealth of experience and artistry to this event. After completing his bachelor's degree in music at Ole Miss, he earned a master's from The Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University.

Most recently, he served as music supervisor and music director for "Cats: The Jellicle Ball" at New York City's Perelman Performing Arts Center, where The New York Times praised his "gorgeous" choral direction. Earlier, Waldrop was associate conductor for "The Phantom of the Opera," Broadway's longest running musical.

Top: Ole Miss alumnus and Broadway musical director William Waldrop will serve as a guest conductor for the LOU Side-by-Side Concert, featuring the UM Opera Theatre and the Lafayette-Oxford-University Symphony Orchestra, on Monday (Nov. 3) in the Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts. Submitted photo