Michael Palmer

Michael Palmer has long been considered one of this country's finest conductors. Mr. Palmer began his career at age 21, when he came to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra as assistant conductor at the invitation of Robert Shaw. He was soon made associate conductor, and also founded and was music director of the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra. While in Atlanta, Michael Palmer was honored as one of five of the first conductors in the United States chosen by the National Endowment for the Arts to be Exxon Arts Endowment Conductor, and he was soon in demand with orchestras throughout the country. While continuing in his post in Atlanta, he was appointed guest conductor of the Houston Symphony Orchestra for a three-year period. He also worked extensively with the National Symphony Orchestra during this period, and he was, subsequently, named co-principal guest conductor of the Denver Symphony Orchestra.

After 10 years in Atlanta as associate conductor, Mr. Palmer accepted appointments as music director of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra followed by the New Haven Symphony Orchestra. In New Haven, he was recognized widely for his artistic accomplishments and for building the Orchestra to one of the finest of its kind in the nation.  Carnegie Hall invited Michael Palmer and the New Haven Symphony Orchestra to make their New York debut on its distinguished Visiting Orchestra Series in 1994.  During his tenure as music director in New Haven, Mr. Palmer founded the American Sinfonietta, which toured Europe for 10 seasons under his leadership, playing to critical acclaim in the major concert halls of Germany, Austria and Switzerland.  This led to the creation of the Bellingham Festival of Music in 1993.  Under his artistic leadership, the Festival has become internationally recognized for its artistry. As the founding Artistic Director, his concerts are heard across the nation on public radio and feature some of the finest orchestral musicians and major guest artists from the United States and abroad.  He also maintains an active international guest conducting season each year and most recently, he maintains a working relationship with one of China's premiere orchestras, the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra.  

Michael Palmer held the Charles Thomas Wurm Distinguished Professor of Orchestral Studies position with Georgia State University (GSU) School of Music from 2004 through 2023. 

In addition to his regular concerts, he remains focused on building a legacy for future arts supporters and lovers of classical music, through his non-profit organization, Anacrusis Productions Ltd.  (Website:  anacrusisproductionslimited.org).  As a lifelong artistic entrepreneur, Mr. Palmer has just launched his latest artistic project - The Hamptons Festival of Music - TH·FM for short (Website:  thehamptonsfestivalofmusic.com), his newest classical, orchestral music festival which successfully completed it's inaugural season in September 2022.  His aim is to make TH·FM an integral part of the arts and cultural community of the Hamptons and to help make the Hamptons, a premier music destination of the northeast region.