'Dream come true': New Westmoreland Symphony executive director hopes to continue musical tradition

As Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra’s new executive director, Michael Rozell is most excited to be returning to his roots.

Before teaching music for 32 years, Rozell, 55, of Monongahela went to school and lived in the Greensburg area for many years.

“I remember as a college student sitting in the seats in The Palace Theatre watching the Westmoreland Symphony and falling in love with orchestral music,” Rozell said. “And now, here I am coming back home … and being the guy who’s kind of organizing it all.”

After 32 years in education, serving as fine arts department head for the Belle Vernon Area School District, adjunct teacher for the Seton Hill department of music and president of the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District 1, Rozell decided to retire.

During his interview for the WSO executive director position, he said the first question the board asked was: “Why does this guy who just retired want a new job?”

“I retired because I wanted to do something different with my life,” Rozell said. “I had a beautiful career and have had great, meaningful impacts on so many students … but I also realized … it’s time to do something different.”

Looking for arts administration jobs, he came across the WSO executive director opening and decided to apply. Rozell said he wasn’t expecting to find one so fast.

“Here I am, now ready to give back to the community that basically formed me as a young musician and teacher — that’s like a dream come true,” Rozell said.

Entering a new role

He started in his new position on Sept. 11, and he said it’s been amazing and a little overwhelming. Rozell got the chance to work with WSO’s previous executive director, Natalie Ann Kasievich, during her last week on the job.

From what he’s gathered so far, Rozell believes the job includes a lot of hats, like fundraising, grant writing and communicating with Daniel Meyer, artistic director and conductor of the WSO, regarding events.

Meyer, 51, of Pittsburgh has been conducting the orchestra since 2010, a role that includes programming the concerts and making selections at auditions.

Typically, the WSO has four mainstage concerts per year, plays for a full Nutcracker ballet and hosts a Home for the Holidays concert. Additionally, there are occasional pops concerts, and musicians are often featured in chamber music concerts.

Though music was selected ahead of Rozell’s start for this coming season — WSO’s 55th season — he will get the chance to work with Meyer when choosing pieces for future seasons.

Meyer said he met Rozell in 2013 when he was invited to prepare the all-star choir for WSO’s Home for the Holidays concert. The choir annually features a group of the best high school choristers who get the chance to sing with the symphony, Meyer said.

Rozell said he’s always had a connection with either wind or orchestral music, and he still sings, accompanies and directs in the area.

He’s been a member of Voces Solis, a premier chamber choir in Pittsburgh since 2017, a group that’s “soul-feeding” for him.

He decided to join right after his mother, who had a lingering illness, died.

“I thought, ‘OK, I need to do something that is just for me.’ I don’t want to conduct students; I don’t want to make plans; I just want to go sing,” Rozell said. “And boy, did that group fill that void — it filled a void I didn’t realize I needed.”

Though Meyer met Rozell first as an artist, Meyer said he learned of Rozell’s capability as an administrator during the board’s interview process.

“Anyone who’s reached some degree of success in conducting has also managed quite a bit of technical details to make that happen,” Meyer said. “Michael was indeed a bit of a superstar.”

Meyer said the board wanted someone who’s passionate about running an arts nonprofit and fulfilling its mission but also has “an expertise and love” for classical music.

Rozell fit the bill.

“I’m excited because I know that he loves the orchestra,” Meyer said. “He has the technical chops to ensure the ship is going to run smoothly, but we will also continue to grow in a careful but practical way.”

Rozell expressed his gratitude to the board for the opportunity and said he’s happy to be working with Meyer.

“I hope to be able to continue the longstanding traditions… and the very high quality music but maybe bring my own touches to the organization and maybe move in a few new directions,” Rozell said. “I don’t know what they are yet, but I’ll think of them.”

Relationship building is vital to the executive director job, according to Meyer, and Rozell has “a proven track record” of establishing relationships with the community.

“Getting people to trust you, to believe in you… that is about 90% of the job,” Meyer said.