James Feddeck, a 2005 graduate of the Conservatory with bachelor of music degrees in organ as well as oboe performance, is working toward a master of music degree in the Conservatory’s graduate program in conducting. He enters a new chapter in his career, however, with the Cleveland-based Red {an orchestra} as it embarks on its fourth season, the opening performance of which, In Mahler's Shadow, takes place on Saturday, November 5, 2005, at 8 p.m. at the Masonic Auditorium in Cleveland.

Red {an orchestra} blends the tradition of classical music with progressive innovation, incorporating semi-staged theater, puppets, film, and groundbreaking digital art created right before the audience’s eyes to provide a new concert experience. The ensemble’s mission is to develop diverse musical audiences through such innovative programs, connecting music with other artistic disciplines to produce engaging and entertaining performances.

As assistant conductor of Red {an orchestra}, Feddeck’s role is to assist music director Jonathan Sheffer with rehearsals by listening in the concert hall for balances, offering advice and opinion when asked, and conducting staging rehearsals for the ensemble’s production this season of Gian Carlo Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitor. 

Despite Feddeck’s youth, his music career covers nearly 15 years, beginning when he was eight and hired as an organist with St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Eastchester, New York. Three years later, he was appointed organist and choirmaster as well as music director of St. Luke’s and also associate organist at Village Lutheran Church (Bronxville, New York). Feddeck is from Scarsdale, New York.

While at Oberlin, Feddeck served as guest conductor of the Oberlin Chamber Orchestra, the Oberlin Orchestra, the Contemporary Music Ensemble, and the Oberlin Wind Ensemble. He is the 2005 recipient of Oberlin’s prestigious Selby Harlan Houston Prize for exemplary scholarship in music theory and organ. In June 2005 he won the first place award in the Competition for Young Organists sponsored by the Central Hudson Valley chapter of the American Guild of Organists (AGO). He won first prize in the New York City chapter of the AGO Regional Competition for Young Organists earlier in the year.

In December 2005 and January 2006 he will join the Oberlin Orchestra as assistant conductor during its concert tour of The People’s Republic of China.