Kentucky Wesleyan College announces today the appointment of Maestro Nick Palmer as Distinguished Conductor in Residence. Dr. Palmer will work with students on conducting, composition and other music courses and will also offer guest lectures and assist the instrumental and vocal ensembles.
“The addition of Dr. Palmer to our already outstanding faculty makes for another truly great day at Kentucky Wesleyan College,” says President Barton D. Darrell. “Now students will be able to study conducting and composition and will receive career guidance here at Wesleyan from one of the country’s premier conductors and music directors. Our music faculty and department has long been held in the highest regard. With Dr. Palmer joining this elite group, the Kentucky Wesleyan College’s music department now moves to an even higher level.”
Maestro Palmer shares, “I am thrilled with the opportunity to work with students at Kentucky Wesleyan College. The expansion of the music department and music programs over the last several years has been remarkable, and I will assist in any way I can to ensure that this growth continues.”
Director of the Music Program Dr. Diane Earle states, “We are fortunate to have such a multi-talented musician work with our students. Many of them have performed under his baton with the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra, and they are excited that he will be here to help and guide them in their career preparation. He brings such breadth of knowledge, skill and experience. This is a special opportunity for our growing program!”
Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College Dr. Paula Dehn says, “In the last five years, the music program has grown tremendously, and our students have been enthusiastically received from Owensboro to Lexington Nashville to Atlanta and beyond. Dr. Palmer significantly enhances an already successful program. Our students will benefit greatly from his expertise, and we are honored to welcome him to Wesleyan.”
NICK PALMER | BIOGRAPHY
Nick is the music director of the Lafayette Symphony (Ind.), North Charleston Pops (S.C.), Evening Under the Stars Music Festival (Mass.) and Dubuque Festival Orchestra (Iowa), and is concluding an 18-year tenure as music director of the Owensboro Symphony.
A native of Hingham, Mass., Palmer graduated cum laude from Harvard University and received his master’s and doctoral degrees in orchestral conducting from the New England Conservatory of Music and the University of Iowa, respectively. He also has studied at the Juilliard School, Pierre Monteux Domaine School, Aspen Music School, the Festival at Sandpoint and the Academia Chigiana in Italy, where he was a student of Franco Ferrara and Carlo Maria Giulini.