Townsend Symposia on Music, Philosophy, and the Arts

The Irish conductor Peter Shannon aspires to prove to others that orchestral music can transform communities. Innovative and tireless in his outreach, Shannon embodies the new and growing role of music director. He works to reshape and reimagine what orchestras are and how they serve their communities both musically and personally. Beginning his musical career as a professional singer and organist, Peter’s performances focus on the singing aspect of the orchestra. The son of a physician, Shannon hails from a long-line of medical professionals. Combining the performing arts with the healing arts, he has developed performance programs for cancer center patients including children receiving inpatient care and individuals in hospice care. Through a specially developed, evidence based curriculum focusing on communicating with compassion, Shannon, in collaboration with physician Dr. Jacqueline Huntly, has developed a program to train musicians to work effectively in a healthcare setting. He has adapted Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” specifically for sick children. A 2015 article in Symphony Magazine drew international attention to this important initiative performed by the Savannah Philharmonic. Shannon spent 12 years as artistic director and conductor of the Savannah Philharmonic, 10 years as artistic director and conductor of The Jackson Symphony.

Free and open to the public.