Celebrating Gary Wolfman

After joining GTCYS’ artistic staff in fall 2012, Philharmonic conductor Gary Wolfman will retire at the end of this season following auditions. Mr. Wolfman’s artistic gifts have impacted hundreds of GTCYS high school students who developed a lifelong love of music and performed orchestral masterworks at a high level under his leadership.

“I have greatly enjoyed my time with GTCYS, and this spring will end my 46 years of teaching orchestras and 36 years of conducting youth symphonies. The staff and conductors have been outstanding, and I treasure the past nine years of working with such a talented group of people. Of course, my time with the great students in our program has been the most rewarding.”

GTCYS’ staff and board of directors are grateful for Mr. Wolfman’s tremendous service and leadership. We will especially miss his annual singing of “White Christmas,” his sense of humor, and his big heart.

“It has been a joy and a great honor to work with Gary Wolfman for these past nine years. Gary brought a wealth of experience and perspective to the GTCYS conducting staff, and I am extremely thankful for his passion, generosity, and insight. He inspired his students – they loved working with him. Thinking about the numbers of fortunate young musicians who were touched by this great educator in his 46 years of teaching is awe inspiring.  We are all so grateful for Gary’s huge contribution to GTCYS and to music,” said artistic director Mark Russell Smith.

Mr. Wolfman looks forward to retirement with his wife, Dr. Laura Sindberg who is also retiring from the University of Minnesota’s School of Music this spring. We wish them all the best and look forward to staying in touch! If you want to share a memory or wish Mr. Wolfman well, send your message to executive director Megen Balda at megen@gtcys.org who will compile notes and share the collection with Mr. Wolfman.

A Philharmonic successor will be announced soon. Stay tuned for details!