Almost like being in love
Thursday, February 11, 2027 - 7:30pm
- Stambaugh Auditorium Concert Hall
- Conductor: Erik Ochsenr
Love is in the air! Join vocalists Marcus Goldhaber and Lauren Chapman, as Broadway takes center stage for a Valentine’s Day lovefest. Featuring beloved songs from classics including Anything Goes, Brigadoon, and Guys and Dolls. Celebrate love in all its forms with the symphony!
Erik Ochsner, Music Director
In 2025, Finnish-American conductor Erik Ochsner was officially named the ninth Music Director of the almost 100-year-old Youngstown Symphony Orchestra (“YSO”). Ochsner’s versatility as a conductor has stretched across a broad range of repertoire: from conducting as few as five performers in contemporary and modern works, to leading 300 performers across 20+ full length films using the Live in Concert format. Audiences and critics alike praise Ochsner’s energy, attention to detail and precise synchronization.
With the YSO, he has led a large variety of repertoire: from Cherubini and Beethoven to Berlioz, Mahler, Prokofiev, Respighi, Wagner, and Williams; from a Frank Sinatra concert to a Holiday Pops concert; 3 films so far: Ghostbusters, Home Alone, and Back to the Future, plus he’s introduced YSO audiences to several unknown, or not-often performed, composers: Frederic Delius, Eugene Kapp, Uuono Klami, Alexander Mosolov, Anna Thorwaldsdottir, not to mention a collaboration with the Vindys!
Recent highlights include 2 performances of Lion King (1994) Live in Concert with the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra in Muscat, Oman; 5 projections with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra (one was called Walt Disney Animation Studios – A Decade in Concert, where Ochsner conducted, narrated, and made his professional whistling debut); stepping in for a colleague to conduct Star Wars in Concert Episode 4: A New Hope and Ratatouillle in Montreal, Canada, plus his 51st performance of La La Land Live in Concert in Vancouver, Canada.
Upcoming performances: Amadeus in Concert in Kuopio, Finland; Nightmare Before Christmas in Ottawa, Canada; and a private pops concert in Warsaw, Poland for the Annual Conference of Polish Pharmacists.
Working with his friend Dr. Ruth Westheimer, Ochsner commissioned Grandfather Camp: An Orchestral Fantasy, composed by Tom Chapin and John Foster for singing three actors and chamber orchestra: The story is based on Dr. Ruth’s writings about grandparenting. The piece will be workshopped in January 2027!
Ochsner’s long relationship with the Krakow International Film Music Festival has been hugely successful, leading sold-out performances in a 16,000-seat arena of Pixar in Concert, Frozen, Beauty and the Beast, and Lion King (1994) (all performed in Polish), plus Disney in Concert: The Magic of Music with the Krakow Film Festival Youth Concert.
from 2017-2019, Ochsner was Principal Touring Conductor for La La Land Live in Concert, conducting 50 performances across the globe fo Justin Hurwitz’s Academy Award and Grammy Award winning score, often performing with tow of the original recording artsits, pianist Randy Kerber, and trumpeter Wayne Bergeron.
Mary Poppins (1964) (world premiere): Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Opera House; Love Actually: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra; Beauty and the Beast (2017) in Concert: Taipei Symphony Orchestra on 40 hours’ notice; Nanjing Forest Music Festival (China); 18 suites of Hollywood film music; Opera America New Works Showcase (New York City) Music Director, 2017. The Music of Star Wars (world premiere); National Arts Centre Orchestra, Ottawa, Canada; concert featuring the iconic music of John Williams, as well as award-winning video game composers Gordy Haab and Kyle Newmaster.
Additional film projects: Batman (1989), Bugs Bunny at the Symphony, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring, Pirates of the Caribbean, Pixar in Concert, Star Trek (2009), Star Trek Into Darkness, Star Wars in Concert: Episodes 4, 5, 6, and 7.
Equally comfortable on the concert stage or leading opera, oratorio, and multi-media performances, he has performed in Adelaide, Athens, Beijing, Budapest, Calgary, Dallas, Dammam, Detroit, Indianapolis, Jakarta, Kitchener-Waterloo, Krakow, Leipzig, Louisiana, Louisville, Melbourne, México City, Montreal, Monterrey, Moscow, Muscat, Nashville, New York, Ottawa, Portland, Reykjavik, Richmond, Rochester, Round Top, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Seoul, Shaghai, Sofia, South Bend, St. Louis, St. Petersburg, Stockholm, Sydney, Taipei, Tampere, Thessaloniki, Tokyo, Vancouver, Wellington, Youngstown.
As Founder and Music Director of SONOS Chamber Orchestra, a performance of Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring (arranged for 4 pianos and 2 percussionists) was reviewed by the New York Times, “All the hallmarks of a great ‘Rite’ were here.”
During an 8-year collaboration, Ochsner served as Rehearsal Conductor for Academy Award winning composer Tan Dun (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon). Highlights include Assistant Conductor and Chorus Master for The First Emperor workshop, a Metropolitan Opera commission, and Cover Conductor with the Boston Symphony Orchestra for the world premiere of The Map, a multimedia cello featuring Yo-Yo Ma, with performances in Boston, Carnegie Hall, and Tanglewood.
The Bulgarian Monitor said, “Sensuality and synchronicity, matched by perfection, accompanied each of the melodies during La La Land: Live in Concert.” Radio Canada wrote, “[Ochsner] was of remarkable precision to the musical direction… the music of the orchestra seemed to emanate from the film. There was no distinction between the screen and the stage.” The Ontario Arts Review has said “Watch this man, he is brilliant.”
Recordings include Brian Wilbur Grundstrom: An Orchestral Journey (CD), and Tea: A Mirror of Soul (DVD).
Ochsner attended The Pierre Monteux School and is a graduate of Dartmouth College. He speaks French, German, and Italian, with some words in Japanese, Chinese, and Finnish. His mentors and teachers included Robert Spano, Charles Bruck, Erich Kunzel, Marin Alsop, and Helmuth Riling. He lives in New York City, loves traveling, wine, and collecting requiem recordings.
Program Coming Soon!
For Underwriting Opportunities, click Here.
- Digital Program
Almost like being in love
Thursday, February 11, 2027 - 7:30pm
- Stambaugh Auditorium Concert Hall
- Conductor: Erik Ochsenr
Love is in the air! Join vocalists Marcus Goldhaber and Lauren Chapman, as Broadway takes center stage for a Valentine’s Day lovefest. Featuring beloved songs from classics including Anything Goes, Brigadoon, and Guys and Dolls. Celebrate love in all its forms with the symphony!
Erik Ochsner, Music Director
In 2025, Finnish-American conductor Erik Ochsner was officially named the ninth Music Director of the almost 100-year-old Youngstown Symphony Orchestra (“YSO”). Ochsner’s versatility as a conductor has stretched across a broad range of repertoire: from conducting as few as five performers in contemporary and modern works, to leading 300 performers across 20+ full length films using the Live in Concert format. Audiences and critics alike praise Ochsner’s energy, attention to detail and precise synchronization.
With the YSO, he has led a large variety of repertoire: from Cherubini and Beethoven to Berlioz, Mahler, Prokofiev, Respighi, Wagner, and Williams; from a Frank Sinatra concert to a Holiday Pops concert; 3 films so far: Ghostbusters, Home Alone, and Back to the Future, plus he’s introduced YSO audiences to several unknown, or not-often performed, composers: Frederic Delius, Eugene Kapp, Uuono Klami, Alexander Mosolov, Anna Thorwaldsdottir, not to mention a collaboration with the Vindys!
Recent highlights include 2 performances of Lion King (1994) Live in Concert with the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra in Muscat, Oman; 5 projections with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra (one was called Walt Disney Animation Studios – A Decade in Concert, where Ochsner conducted, narrated, and made his professional whistling debut); stepping in for a colleague to conduct Star Wars in Concert Episode 4: A New Hope and Ratatouillle in Montreal, Canada, plus his 51st performance of La La Land Live in Concert in Vancouver, Canada.
Upcoming performances: Amadeus in Concert in Kuopio, Finland; Nightmare Before Christmas in Ottawa, Canada; and a private pops concert in Warsaw, Poland for the Annual Conference of Polish Pharmacists.
Working with his friend Dr. Ruth Westheimer, Ochsner commissioned Grandfather Camp: An Orchestral Fantasy, composed by Tom Chapin and John Foster for singing three actors and chamber orchestra: The story is based on Dr. Ruth’s writings about grandparenting. The piece will be workshopped in January 2027!
Ochsner’s long relationship with the Krakow International Film Music Festival has been hugely successful, leading sold-out performances in a 16,000-seat arena of Pixar in Concert, Frozen, Beauty and the Beast, and Lion King (1994) (all performed in Polish), plus Disney in Concert: The Magic of Music with the Krakow Film Festival Youth Concert.
from 2017-2019, Ochsner was Principal Touring Conductor for La La Land Live in Concert, conducting 50 performances across the globe fo Justin Hurwitz’s Academy Award and Grammy Award winning score, often performing with tow of the original recording artsits, pianist Randy Kerber, and trumpeter Wayne Bergeron.
Mary Poppins (1964) (world premiere): Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Opera House; Love Actually: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra; Beauty and the Beast (2017) in Concert: Taipei Symphony Orchestra on 40 hours’ notice; Nanjing Forest Music Festival (China); 18 suites of Hollywood film music; Opera America New Works Showcase (New York City) Music Director, 2017. The Music of Star Wars (world premiere); National Arts Centre Orchestra, Ottawa, Canada; concert featuring the iconic music of John Williams, as well as award-winning video game composers Gordy Haab and Kyle Newmaster.
Additional film projects: Batman (1989), Bugs Bunny at the Symphony, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring, Pirates of the Caribbean, Pixar in Concert, Star Trek (2009), Star Trek Into Darkness, Star Wars in Concert: Episodes 4, 5, 6, and 7.
Equally comfortable on the concert stage or leading opera, oratorio, and multi-media performances, he has performed in Adelaide, Athens, Beijing, Budapest, Calgary, Dallas, Dammam, Detroit, Indianapolis, Jakarta, Kitchener-Waterloo, Krakow, Leipzig, Louisiana, Louisville, Melbourne, México City, Montreal, Monterrey, Moscow, Muscat, Nashville, New York, Ottawa, Portland, Reykjavik, Richmond, Rochester, Round Top, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Seoul, Shaghai, Sofia, South Bend, St. Louis, St. Petersburg, Stockholm, Sydney, Taipei, Tampere, Thessaloniki, Tokyo, Vancouver, Wellington, Youngstown.
As Founder and Music Director of SONOS Chamber Orchestra, a performance of Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring (arranged for 4 pianos and 2 percussionists) was reviewed by the New York Times, “All the hallmarks of a great ‘Rite’ were here.”
During an 8-year collaboration, Ochsner served as Rehearsal Conductor for Academy Award winning composer Tan Dun (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon). Highlights include Assistant Conductor and Chorus Master for The First Emperor workshop, a Metropolitan Opera commission, and Cover Conductor with the Boston Symphony Orchestra for the world premiere of The Map, a multimedia cello featuring Yo-Yo Ma, with performances in Boston, Carnegie Hall, and Tanglewood.
The Bulgarian Monitor said, “Sensuality and synchronicity, matched by perfection, accompanied each of the melodies during La La Land: Live in Concert.” Radio Canada wrote, “[Ochsner] was of remarkable precision to the musical direction… the music of the orchestra seemed to emanate from the film. There was no distinction between the screen and the stage.” The Ontario Arts Review has said “Watch this man, he is brilliant.”
Recordings include Brian Wilbur Grundstrom: An Orchestral Journey (CD), and Tea: A Mirror of Soul (DVD).
Ochsner attended The Pierre Monteux School and is a graduate of Dartmouth College. He speaks French, German, and Italian, with some words in Japanese, Chinese, and Finnish. His mentors and teachers included Robert Spano, Charles Bruck, Erich Kunzel, Marin Alsop, and Helmuth Riling. He lives in New York City, loves traveling, wine, and collecting requiem recordings.
Program Coming Soon!
