UMass Boston

The UMass Boston Orchestra has a new conductor for the coming year, as accomplished music educator and trumpeter Ryan Noe has been named visiting assistant professor in music. Noe has played trumpet with the orchestra many times since joining UMass Boston in 2021 and is looking forward to leading students and community members he previously sat next to. In addition to conducting, the position includes teaching Music Education and a Special Topics in Composition course.

“Working with college students is something I enjoy a lot, and I wanted to expand on that,” Noe said. “It’s exciting to be at the podium making musical choices. This fall, we’re doing Beethoven Symphony No. 7 and The Unanswered Question by Charles Ives where we will feature trumpeter Karl Stanley, one of our graduating seniors.”

In recent years, particularly since COVID, the UMass Boston Orchestra has grown both on stage and in audience through the leadership of the previous conductor, Sommer Forrester, and significant commitment from the Performing Arts Department and College of Liberal Arts. Forrester, who joins the faculty of the University of Toronto this fall, began in 2015 with an orchestra of just 28 members, only 12 students, and an audience of less than 20. The spring 2025 concert saw 52 musicians, 28 students, and the Recital Hall is now routinely at full capacity, selling out far in advance.

Noe takes the helm understanding that momentum and embracing the unique “community” aspect of the UMass Boston Orchestra, comprised not only of students but also a number of faculty, staff, and alumni, as well as experienced musicians from the Greater Boston area.

“It’s a great experience for the students, where they can sit next to players with a wide range of experience,” Noe said. “Particularly with the musicians from the community, it’s a wonderful opportunity for students to see what their own careers could look like in the future.”

ORCHESTRA WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS – AUDITION INFORMTION HERE

“I’m really looking forward to welcoming new members to the orchestra,” Noe said. “It will be very exciting to meet new students. I know there are a number of students who play but aren’t majoring in music. I’d like to encourage those students in particular to reach out and keep music a part of their college experience."

“We so look forward to the continued growth of our orchestra, and the audience support and energy have been wonderful,” said Carrie Ann Quinn, chair of the Performing Arts Department. “It’s particularly great to see our music alumni returning to play and stay connected.

“Ryan’s teaching and conducting experience is significant, and when someone from the orchestra steps up to take the baton, it’s easy to root for them,” said Quinn. “The support from the Murray Burnstine Charitable Trust makes this one-year appointment possible while we open a search for a full-time music professor. We are so grateful for the generosity of The Burnstine Trust for the second year in a row, as they not only provide generous student scholarships and music program instrumental needs, but also this new composition class, which will hopefully inspire our students to create original music.”

As a musician – trumpet – Noe has performed with the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra, Portland Symphony, Vermont Symphony, Symphony New Hampshire, and is Principal Trumpet of the Glens Falls Symphony in New York. As a conductor, he has led the Western Michigan Symphonic Band, the University of Southern Maine Trumpet Ensemble, the Randolph High School Band and others. He also teaches at New England Conservatory, University of Southern Maine, and previously taught at Boston University, Boston University’s Tanglewood Institute, and Northeastern University. He holds his doctor of Musical Arts and master of Music degrees from Boston University and his bachelor of Music degree from Western Michigan University.

The fall concert of the UMass Boston Orchestra will be on Friday, November 21, 7:30 p.m. in the Recital Hall at University Hall. Tickets will go on sale in September at umb.universitytickets.com.