Dr. Christopher Stanichar
Director of Orchestral Activities
Strauss PAC 212
phone: (402) 554-2768
e-mail: cstanichar@mail.unomaha.edu
“It was as though he were telling a story with his hands.”
- Pravda Cevera, Arkhangelsk, Russia
Telling stories with his hands is what Christopher Stanichar does best. Serving as the Director of Orchestral Activities at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and Music Director of the Heartland Philharmonic Orchestra since 2001, Christopher is an engaging and energetic maestro. His passion enhances the music, as does his vast orchestral experience.
Christopher earned his Doctorate of Musical Arts at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music studying with Gerhard Samuel and has worked with many fine ensembles around the world. He has enjoyed tenure as Music Director of the Omaha Municipal Orchestra (2002 – 2005), the Northern Kentucky Chamber Players (2000 – 2001), and of the Seven Hills Sinfonietta in Cincinnati (1998 – 2000). Prior to these engagements, Maestro Stanichar served as the Conducting Assistant for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (1997-98) enabling him to work closely with Maestros Jesús López-Cobos, Erich Kunzel, John Morris Russell, and others.
In 1996 Christopher made his international debut when he was awarded a prestigious Fulbright scholarship to study in Slovakia, where he conducted concerts with the Slovak Radio Symphony and Chrysotomos Choir. Then in 1998 he was selected as a participant in a master class with Maestro Ilia Musin, in which he worked with the Petrozavodsk Philharmonic. Since then he has enjoyed frequent international opportunities, from appearances with the St. Petersburg State Orchestra (“Klassika”) in 1999 to a tremendously successful 2002 Russian tour when he led the Arkhangelsk Chamber Orchestra and the Adagea Republic Symphony Orchestra. In the summer of 2003, he followed these successes, by conducting the St. Petersburg State Symphony Orchestra at the Sheremetev Palace and was received with great acclaim. The same year he led the Sochi Philharmonic in a concert broadcast on a national television program, featuring him in an interview. In 2005 he was invited to conduct the Mineralny Vody Philharmonic, Krasnodar Chamber Orchestra, and the Sochi Symphony Orchestra.
Maestro Stanichar has also made significant contributions in the areas of research and composition. His doctoral thesis, "Fauré's Pelléas et Mélisande," includes an edition of Fauré's original and complete score, previously unavailable to the public. His string quartet Lilacs was premiered by the Wister Quartet (members of the Philadelphia Orchestra) to great acclaim. The St Petersburg State Symphony, Sochi Chamber Orchestra, Heartland Philharmonic Orchestra, Seven Hills Sinfonietta, Chrysostomos Choir, UNO Wind Symphony, and the Omaha Municipal Orchestra have performed many of his works including Bremen Town Musicians, Poem for English Horn and Orchestra, Sunflowers, Windstream, and the Mass of the Last Supper. His music is published by TrevCo Music.
In his free time, Christopher enjoys fine art, icons, French literature, biking, pinball, and foreign travel.
Reviews:
"Stanichar brought life to the orchestra. He seems almost like a 'Wunderkind.' His conducting was emotional and forthright. It was as though he were telling a story with his hands."
—Pravda Cevera (ARKANGELSK, Russia)
"The ever-smiling and extremely animated 32-year-old conductor from the University of Nebraska guided the Everett Symphony through a superb performance filled with wit and charm."
—Mukilteo Beacon (SEATTLE)
"It [The Concert] was the kind of charismatic interaction with the audience and orchestra that showed the brilliance of Stanichar's directorial methods."
—Mukilteo Beacon (SEATTLE)
"Stanichar created an evening filled with informal fun as well as high orchestral skills . . . . Stanichar looked right at home."
—The Herald (EVERETT, Washington)
"The Seven Hills Sinfonietta [in Cincinnati], led by conductor/composer Christopher Stanichar, presents imaginative programs several times a year."
—Chambermusic (NATIONAL PUBLICATION)
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