Kenneth Woods, conductor
“Playful brilliance...”
Austin American Statesman

“Brimming with personality, affection and freshly imagined
drama...”
Washington Post

“A conductor with true vision and purpose...”
Peter Oundjian, Music Director, Toronto Symphony
"Kenneth Woods
led a performance
of Elgar's Enigma
Variations with
such commitment
and passion that
one could not help
but be stirred by
the power of it."

Elgin Valley News
The Washington Post praises Kenneth Woods’ performances as
“alive and engaging,"  calling him a “true star” and an “up-and-
coming conductor.” The Cincinnati Post calls him "alert,
efficient and confident" and Leonard Slatkin chose Kenneth
Woods as one of only four young conductors to make their debuts
with the National Symphony Orchestra as part of the 2001
National Conducting Institute.
Kenneth Woods'
collaborations include
Principal Guest Conductor
Orchestra of the Swan

Regular Guest Conductor
BBC National Orchestra of Wales

Principal guest Conductor-
Rose City Chamber Orchestra

Music Director-
Surrey Mozart Players

Principal Conductor
Lancashire Chamber Orchestra

Music Director-
Oregon East Symphony and Chorale
Critics call it "now certainly the best
rural symphony orchestra in North
America"
The very latest in the papers-


"As they approach their fortieth anniversary, the Surrey
Mozart Players are going from strength to strength, presenting
ever more adventurous programmes, and last Saturday at
Holy Trinity Church was no exception. Under their charismatic
conductor, Kenneth Woods, they opened their programme
with Beethoven’s Leonore Overture no. 2. This is considerably
bolder than the more frequently played Leonore No 3, and
Woods’ interpretation bore this out.  By the time Schumann
revisited the score of his 4th Symphony in 1851,he was
already showing signs of his illness. As Kenneth Woods
explained, these disturbances were borne out in the music, in
the incessant repetition, the dramatic contrasts and the
trombones coming in on a dissonant note at key moments in
both the outer movements. The performance reflected this
frenzied mood in many ways, from the imposing opening with
its constant return, to the continuous “A” that boomed out in
the composer’s head, to a crisp, forward moving interpretation
of the opening movement. Woods caught the mood of the link
to the finale wonderfully, and the Finale itself was thrilling."
Surrey Advertiser, June 26, 2009

"Kenneth Woods revealed a strong empathy for Vaughan
Williams' music... a convincing performance of this major
work which, although composed during World War II, seems to
hark back to more placid times.  The slow movement was a
profoundly spiritual experience while the closing passacaglia
sounded decidedly upbeat as if confident of better times ahead.

"While some may dispute that...  Schumann's Second is the
greatest symphony written since Beethoven, Woods' tense
and driven interpretation certainly confirmed it as  a work of
stature. Schumann composed it after his first mental
breakdown, and the monumental first movement mirrored his
titanic struggle to recover his sanity. A few rays of hope could
be spotted in the bustling Scherzo but a dark mood
underpinned it. Nor was there any respite in the Adagio which
a strong performance from the string section rendered
intensely moving.
The Cheltenham Echo, May 28, 2009

"The concert ended with the young Beethoven’s symphony no.
1 in C under Kenneth Woods.  The execution of this work was
a triumph, well articulated, vigorous and controlled. It was
tempting to break into applause after the first movement.
Strong dynamic contrasts, steady, harmonious woodwind,
brass and string combinations and delicate phrasing featured
in the Andante. The Minuet was successfully Allegro molto e
vivace and the last movement was impressive, the dynamics,
intonation, unison playing and other details, all a pleasure to
listen to. Congratulations to the violins and the brass sections
in this last movement for their excellent coordination."
Surrey Advertiser, March 9, 2009

“Woods looks like a younger, dark-haired William Hurt...he and
... Pendleton's unlikely symphony orchestra give Mahler the
ride of his life"
David Stabler, The Oregonian, Sunday, May 27, 2007

"American rock and classical musician Kenneth Woods
seemed a born conductor in his recent city debut.
His second appearance with the Nottingham Philharmonic
underlined that impression with performances combining
excitement and integrity."
Peter Palmer, Nottingham Evening Post, March 12, 2007

"American conductor Kenneth Woods certainly knows his
way around the orchestra, in terms of cueing, balance and
structure, as was evident throughout the culminating
performance of Dvorak’s Eighth Symphony…  a full-bodied,
rich performance of a … high standard...  "
Michael Tumelty, The Herald, Glasgow, December 6, 2006
More critical acclaim here
Upcoming Concerts-

February 27, 2010
Wrexham Symphony Orchestra
Haydn- Symphony no. 100 in G major,"Military"
Shostakovich- Symphony no. 7 i n C major, "Lenningrad"

March 6, 2010
Cambridge University Chamber Orchestra
Beethoven- Coriolan Overture
Chopin- Piano Concerto no. 1 in E minor
Ravel- Tombeau de Couperin
Beethoven- Symphony no. 2 in D Major

Current Broadcasts-
BBC Radio 3
Discovering Music Live
Haydn and Telemann- Trumpet Concerti
Philippe Schartz, trumpet
Stephen Johnson, presenter
Click here to listen

BBC National Orchestra of Wales
BBC Radio 3
Discovering Music Live
Chopin- Piano Concerto no 1
Piers Lane, piano
Stephen Johnson, presenter
Click here to listen
Kenneth Woods on NWPR on his
OES tenure and the joys of building
an orchestra here.

Kenneth Woods talks Mahler and the
OES on Morning Edition, here

Kenneth Woods and "A view from the
podium"  subject of a full page
feature in January 2007
Gramophone Magazine.

Find out why the Oregon East
Symphony is the most talked-about
orchestra in the Northwest in this
multimedia feature from the
Oregonian,  here