Conductor and Artistic Director

Anthony Spain has been Music Director of the Northwest Symphony Orchestra (NWSO) since 1987. Dr. Spain’s innovative programming of northwest American composers first came to national attention in 1996 with a mention in a front page Wall Street Journal article regarding up and coming arts groups. Since then both he, and the NWSO, have garnered Eight National ASCAP awards for “Programming of Contemporary Music,” been awarded an American Prize in Orchestral Programming, and been featured several times on National Public Radio.

Dr. Spain has guest conducted orchestras and choirs throughout America and in Europe. He has conducted the Orfeo International Orchestra with the choir of L’UNESCO (the cultural branch of the United Nations) in Paris, France as well as the Bath Philharmonic in Bath, England. The Bath Chronicle exclaimed of Dr. Spain “He has a type of charisma, which extends to the far orchestral corners.” He has been a guest conductor with the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, a cover conductor with the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, and guest conducted the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Honduras. In 2025, he returns to guest conduct in Hong Kong.

A noted conductor of works with orchestra with choir, Dr. Spain has conducted several choirs in the Seattle area including Cascadian Chorale, Choral Sounds Northwest, Northwest Boys choir, Northwest Girls choir, Northwest Chorale, Seattle Girls choir, Total Experience Gospel Choir and Vashon Chorales. Eugene Carlson, former reporter with the Wall Street Journal, wrote “ever wonder if the director of a chorus- really makes a difference? Guest Director Anthony Spain took the (Vashon) Chorale to heights that seemed to surprise even the members of the chorus itself. The performance was terrific… a programming masterstroke.”

Dedicated to education Dr. Spain is an active clinician and adjudicator, and works regularly with students throughout the Seattle and Highline area, as part of the NWSO’s “Symphony for Students” program. He has been a guest speaker at conferences such as the American Symphony Orchestra League’s National Convention, and Conductor’s Guild National Conference. Spain graduated in 1990 with a Doctorate Degree in Music from the University of Washington, and has received numerous awards and honors including a Grammy nomination in vocal jazz performance.

Contact: anthonyspainnwso@gmail.com