Behind the Baton
with Scott O’Neil

A good music conductor strives to get inside the mind of the composer, then conveys the composer's vision to the performing musicians and ultimately, the audience.

Leading a major new work can be like baptism by fire. By the end, the conductor knows and understands the music and its forgotten stories more than virtually anyone.

Colorado conductor Scott O’Neil uncovers the hidden stories of the great works. As the former longtime Resident Conductor of the Colorado Symphony, Scott shares his captivating insights every day on CPR Classical. Discover extraordinary tales of the most enduring and beloved melodies.

Mr. O'Neil served as the Resident Conductor for the Utah Symphony and Colorado Symphony for over 15 years and has guest conducted extensively on the west coast, Colorado, Wyoming, Texas, and Ohio.  He has worked as an orchestrator and arranger with such diverse artists as Bela Fleck, Weird Al Yankovich, Jack Black, Ingrid Michaelson, Wu Tang Clan, and the John Denver Estate.  In 2015 he presented a TedTalk entitled "Inside the Score," based on music he composed for Arrow Electronics.

As a leadership speaker, he presents live programs for Music Paradigm, addressing top CEO's from around the world, as well as training high school students in leadership and conducting through the George N Parks Drum Major Academy.  His program, Behind the Baton, can be heard daily on Colorado Public Radio.

Credit: https://www.cpr.org/classical/behind-the-baton/