The recipient of the 2013-2014 Carlisle High School Band Distinguished Alumnus Award is Mr. Lawrence Loh, Carlisle High School Class of 1988.

Mr. Loh is presently the Resident Conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Music Director of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic, and Music Director of the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra. As Resident Conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Larry works closely with Music Director Manfred Honeck and conducts a wide range of concerts including classical, educational and pops. As the conductor of the enormously popular Fiddlesticks Family Series “Bringing Music to the Lives of Children”, Larry plays the part of host and conductor. In addition to his duties on the podium, he is an audience favorite in the PSO’s Concert Preludes lecture series, edits radio broadcasts, and makes many public appearances. His association with the PSO began as Assistant Conductor in 2005-2006. He was promoted to Associate Conductor in 2006-2007 and to Resident Conductor in 2007-2008. Mr. Loh held the positions of Assistant and Associate Conductor of the Dallas Symphony from 2001-2005. Prior to his Dallas appointment, Mr. Loh was appointed by Music Director Marin Alsop to be Associate Conductor of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, conducting more than 50 concerts annually from 1998-2001. While in Denver, he was also Music Director of the Denver Young Artists Orchestra, the premiere youth orchestra in the Colorado Rocky Mountain Region. Additionally, Larry served as the Interim Director of Orchestras and Head of the Orchestral Conducting Program at Denver University’s Lamont School of Music in 2000-2001.

In May 1998, Larry received his Artist Diploma in Orchestral Conducting from Yale University, also earning the Eleazar de Carvalho Prize, given to the most outstanding conductor in the Yale graduating class. He received further training at the world-renowned Aspen Music Festival and School and has additional degrees from Indiana University and the University of Rochester. A dedicated teacher, Mr. Loh held the position of Associate Instructor in Music Theory at Indiana University and, later, that of Teaching Assistant at Yale University in Advanced Hearing, Conducting and Orchestration.

While a student at Carlisle High School, Larry participated in many music department activities including performing on clarinet in the Symphonic Band, Marching Band, and Orchestra. He was a participant in many county music festivals and achieved membership, through competitive audition, in PMEA’s District, Regional, and All-State ensembles. Larry also served as Drum Major of the marching band, including leading the band in the 1987 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, and was highly recognized for his energetic and dynamic style of conducting and his skills and “high throws” with the drum major mace.

Larry and his wife Jennifer have a son, Charlie, and a daughter, Hilary, and reside in the Pittsburgh area.

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