Maestro David Stewart Wiley. Photo by Richard Boyd

Oxford Languages defines the word maestro as: “a distinguished musician, especially a conductor of classical music, a great or distinguished figure in any sphere.”  I maintain this definition accurately describes the musical world of David Stewart Wiley.

David Stewart Wiley (DSW) is the Music Director and Conductor for the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra (RSO) and has served in that capacity since 1996. However, his sphere of influence goes way beyond Roanoke and southwestern Virginia.

Raised in Massachusetts, DSW has conducted symphonies in over a dozen major U.S. cities and as well as in the continents of Europe, Asia and Africa.

Wiley is also an accomplished solo pianist, performing with numerous orchestras, chamber ensembles and operas across the United States, China, Russia and multiple European countries.

In addition to his RSO duties, Wiley also serves as Music Director & Conductor of Orchestra Long Island in New York and is Artistic Director of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Music Festival based in Floyd.

Maestro David Stewart Wiley. Photo by Richard Boyd

For the purpose of this music blog message, I will be concentrating on Wiley’s artistic leadership at the helm of the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra.

Conductor Wiley and the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra. Photo from RSO website.

I had the chance to interview Wiley via telephone just after he completed his last RSO concert of the 2022-2023 season and a two-day mini music festival in Floyd, Virginia.

Maestro Wiley holds both a Doctor and Master of Music in Conducting from Indiana University, as well as a degree in Piano Performance from the New England Conservatory of Music. DSW also has a degree in Religion from Tufts University.

Music has always been a part of Wiley’s life as he performed his first piano concerto with a professional orchestra at age 10 in Boston, Massachusetts. DSW credits his parents and various music teachers for helping him gain a firm foundation within the world of music performance.

Dr. Wiley had composed three piano concerti and recorded numerous CDs with both his written original compositions as well as renditions of renowned classical music masterpieces.

According to Wiley, since he became the music director of RSO in 1996: “RSO has experienced continued artistic growth, program innovation and expansion, and increased financial stability.”

One innovation that Wiley has implemented is a management program within a symphony orchestra setting called “Conducting Change” which was developed by DSW.

Another hallmark of Conductor Wiley is his dedication for RSO to be involved with public service activities and partnering with schools, civic and other arts organizations.

Below are just a few of David’s achievements directing and leading RSO in the area of community involvement:

• Collaborates with WVTF public radio to broadcast many RSO concerts.
• RSO has produced a live TV broadcast of a RSO show.
• Bringing classical music to youth in minority communities.
• RSO & Wiley received a prestigious Distinguished Music Educator Award from Yale University for its partnership with city schools.
• DSW named Roanoke’s “Citizen of the Year” for his outstanding service and outreach.
• Wiley honored by the NAACP as Citizen of the Year in the Arts for his service.

Maestro David Stewart Wiley. Photo by Richard Boyd

Arguably, one of Wiley’s crowning success stories with RSO is his development of the pops concert series. Around 20 years ago, DSW partnered with a Canadian group of rock musicians called Jeans ‘n Classics to create a different type of musical experience for RSO patrons.

During the 20^th century, playing pop/rock music in classical music orchestras was almost unheard of in North America. Jeans ‘n Classics was created 23 years ago and is made up of world class pop/rock musicians.

Music Director Wiley and RSO became one of the first orchestras in the U.S. in the early 2000s to partner with Jeans ‘n Classics to combine pop/rock music with traditional instrumentation in an orchestra setting. RSO performs at least two of these pops shows during a concert season and has expanded from three to four programs in recent years.

The latest pops concert happened last month: it featured Jeans ‘n Classics and the RSO combining to perform Pink Floyd’s landmark LP “The Dark Side of the Moon” in its entirety, in honor of  its 50^th anniversary. This was an outstanding performance.

My wife, Priscilla, and I have enjoyed many of the RSO pops concerts over the past few years. Three months ago, we loved hearing Jim Curry who performs the music of John Denver with a superb RSO collaboration.

Jim Curry, David Stewart Wiley & some RSO musicians in concert during April 2023. Photo courtesy of Sammy Oakey.

Our favorite RSO pops concert was a Beatles tribute band performing the music of “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” during the 50^th anniversary of this legendary album.

Other excellent RSO pops shows that I have witnessed were concerts featuring music from the following artists: Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Led Zeppelin and the Police.

Before I leave the topic of wonderful pops concerts, perhaps my all-time favorite show was when British R&B pop singer-songwriter Billy Ocean himself performed with RSO in 2016.  Ocean’s top-notch vocals and the RSO musicians provided a sterling evening for the audience.

As I mentioned above, I spoke with David Stewart Wiley during a phone conversation late last month.  I presented four questions to DSW on what he considers the important aspects of career and life experiences with RSO. The questions and answers are found below:

DJ Dave:  The COVID-19 pandemic was problematic for organizations like RSO. Under your direction, what steps did you take to guide RSO out of the abyss and back into regular normal operations?

DSW:  Our RSO Executive Director David Crane along with our board, staff, musicians and committed donors were a huge part of our organization’s ability to weather the storm as the symphony during the pandemic. Long time friends/donors and corporate sponsors of RSO were a lifeline during those lean times.

Online presentations of music became a reality for a time, and RSO made educational programs and past concerts available via the Internet to local colleges, public and private schools, and patrons.  Outdoor concerts like “Symphony Under the Stars” at Elmwood Park gave RSO a chance to play live music again in 2021.

DJ Dave:  As I have learned about your leadership with RSO, I know that you value education. Can you share about RSO’s focus teaching music to elementary through high school students in southwestern Virginia?

DSW:  Our energetic Community Engagement & Education Director for RSO, Hannah Cox, provides outstanding guidance and support for our education ensembles.

The Roanoke Youth Symphony, among other RSO groups, continues its 60+ year tradition of providing vital experiences for our region’s youth.

Through the excellent administration skills of Cox, RSO continues to reach numerous school children in our area from elementary through high school, college students, and includes retirees with our “Wellness Arts” program.

DJ Dave:  An outstanding achievement that you have implemented is working with organizations and civic clubs in our area.  What are strategies that you employ when deciding what groups to partner with for RSO community services?

DSW: RSO staff members and I work with civic and private organizations, schools, colleges and other arts groups, as we collaboratively fulfill our mission of artistic excellence and accessibility: for we believe great music is for everybody.

DJ Dave:  For your upcoming 27^th year at the helm as leader, music director and conductor of RSO, what are some main goals that you wish to attain during the 2023-2024 RSO concert season?

DSW:  Growth and artistic excellence for musical programs and expanding new outreach opportunities in our community are among our goals.  Also, increasing RSO’s significant presence throughout our regionand finding new ways to market RSO to a wider audience.

Maestro David Stewart Wiley. Photo by Richard Boyd

One of the many joys for Wiley every summer is an event called “Symphony Under the Stars” where RSO plays a free concert at Elmwood Park in downtown Roanoke. Usually held in late August, this show kicks off the upcoming RSO concert season on Saturday, August 26, 2023, at 7:30 PM. More info at www.rso.com.

Concert master Wiley explained to me his four goals for this outdoor concert:  making great music, having the music be accessible and wide-ranging from classics to film scores, showing a welcoming spirit, and celebrating community in a fun and relaxed environment.

During these Elmwood Park shows, RSO play a variety of music: from classic music masterworks to patriotic favorites, film scores, premieres, and even features dancers and singers. My wife and I have attended a several of these shows and are always pleased to hear excellent music being played outside in downtown Roanoke on warm August evenings.

A favorite highlight for me I have experienced during Symphony Under the Stars: Conductor Wiley has used a light saber sword as a baton when RSO plays John Williams’ “Star Wars” movie theme song. 

Maestro Wiley wants to cordially invite anyone living in the Roanoke area to attend the free RSO Symphony Under the Stars concert on Saturday August 26th, 7:30 pm at Elmwood Park, downtown Roanoke.  If you attend, I guarantee that you won’t be disappointed.

Scene by RSO “Symphony Under the Stars” concert in 2015. Photo from RSO website.

After completing my phone conversation with Wiley, a few things became evident to me.  The leader of RSO is compassionate, dedicated and has a servant’s heart. He has been proud to serve the Roanoke community since 1996 as Music Director and Conductor with RSO.

Those of us who live in the Roanoke Valley and southwestern Virginia are truly fortunate to have a magnificent musical maestro in our mist. Without a doubt, David Stewart Wiley is a treasure for our community. Rock on!

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