August 22, 2019 – Music in the Mountains is excited to announce local violinist and composer Richard Altenbach will conduct the MIM Youth Orchestra for the 2019-2020 season. Mr. Altenbach is currently the Concertmaster for Auburn Symphony, InConcert Sierra and the Apollo Arts Ensemble, and is an active chamber musician.
Anyone who has been to the movies in the past 25 years has almost certainly heard Richard play: He is an A-list Hollywood recording musician involved in over 1000 film scores. Mr. Altenbach has worked with composers such as John Williams, Danny Elfman, and Hans Zimmer, and recorded 100’s of albums for artists such as Barbra Streisand, Frank Sinatra, Yo-Yo Ma, Aerosmith and Puff Daddy. You might have even seen him play at the Academy Awards or on The Tonight Show with Andrea Bocelli.
Mr. Altenbach also has an impressive history playing with live symphonic orchestras. His first orchestral role was as Associate Concertmaster of Omaha Symphony; there, he also served as director for the district-wide junior and senior high school string orchestra program. He later performed as First Violinist in Houston Symphony, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (25 years), as Concertmaster of the Mozart Camerata, and as First Violin (and occasionally Assistant Concertmaster) for Joffrey Ballet, LA Opera and Hollywood Bowl Orchestras. Mr. Altenbach also composes music for film, video games and concert stage.
Richard will bring his incredible experience and passion for music to the students of Nevada County starting immediately. As MIM Artistic Director, Ryan Murray exclaimed, “I’m thrilled to have Richard joining us at Music in the Mountains. He brings a wealth of experience as both a performer and an educator and I’m looking forward to seeing how he will continue to grow our MIMYO program. I know that our students will benefit greatly from his expertise.”
Richard is eager to set-up “meet and greet” appointments with prospective students, and MIMYO rehearsals start September 9, 2019. For more information go to https://www.musicinthemountains.org/education/youth-orchestra/ or email marges@musicinthemountains.org.