WAYNESVILLE, NC, March 31, 2020 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Marquis Who's Who, the world's premier publisher of biographical profiles, is proud to present Dwight Oltman with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. An accomplished listee, Mr. Oltman celebrates many years' experience in his professional network, and has been noted for achievements, leadership qualities, and the credentials and successes he has accrued in his field. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
A renowned international conductor, Mr. Oltman's career has spanned more than 55 successful years. Currently a freelance conductor living in North Carolina, he co-founded the Smoky Mountain International Conducting Institute and Competition in 2017 and has served annually since that time as the Master Teacher. During the course of his illustrious career he was Founding Music Director of the Ohio Chamber Orchestra in Cleveland, Ohio and conducted that orchestra from 1972 to 1992. Another noteworthy position was Music Director and Principal Conductor of Cleveland Ballet from 1976 to 2000. He conducted ballet performances in many American cities, including New York and Chicago, and at the Edinburgh Festival in Scotland. From the years 2000 until 2012 he was Music Director of Ballet San Jose in California. A highlight for this company was performing in Shanghai, China.
An equally talented educator, Maestro Oltman was on the faculty of Baldwin Wallace University for over 40 years from 1970 to 2014. There he conducted the Symphony Orchestra and the Symphonic Wind Ensemble. Both groups were honored by being chosen to perform at numerous state, regional, and national conferences. He also was Music Director of the renowned Baldwin Wallace Bach Festival for 39 years. The Festival received much international acclaim and featured artists from Europe, Canada and the US. Highlights in America included a broadcast of the St. Matthew Passion on PBS television stations across the country and a selection to perform at the Festival of Festivals by Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. Prior to his years at Baldwin Wallace he was a faculty member at Manchester College in Indiana for four years.
Throughout his career Mr. Oltman conducted countless orchestras including the Cleveland Orchestra in Ohio, the Buffalo Philharmonic in New York, the Grand Rapids Symphony in Michigan and the San Jose Symphony in California. Orchestras abroad include the Saint Cecilia Orchestra in Rome, the Martinu Philharmonic in the Czech Republic, and the Volgograd Symphony in Russia. In Canada Maestro Oltman has conducted Symphony Nova Scotia. He has also been a guest conductor at the Eastern Music Festival in North Carolina and the Colorado Music Festival in Boulder, and in 2002 was selected to conduct all performances at the USA International Ballet Competition. A lecturer in his field, Mr. Oltman has spoken on the legacies of French conductor Pierre Monteux and German conductor Max Rudolf at events such as the National Conference of the College Orchestra Directors Association. He also presents conducting master classes and workshops at many American music schools.
Dwight Oltman received a BS degree at McPherson College in 1958 and a Master of Art in Music at Wichita State University in 1963. He next completed postgraduate coursework at the University of Cincinnati between 1967 and 1970.
Additionally he studied conducting with Pierre Monteux, and Max Rudolf, two of the leading pedagogues of the 20th century, and also composition in France with the legendary teacher, Nadia Boulanger. As one of the group who met to establish the College Orchestra Directors Association, he has been active in joining other conductors to make advancements in orchestral training for college students. He takes great pride in the successful careers that many of his collegiate orchestra players and conducting students have established.
The City of Cleveland recognized Mr. Oltman for his achievements with a Proclamation from Mayor Michael White. This read: "Dwight Oltman Day in Cleveland serves as a tribute to Mr. Oltman's 20 years of dedication as Music Director of the Ohio Chamber Orchestra." He was also recognized with a Morton Gould Award from the American 50ciety of Composers. A celebrated Marquis listee, Mr. Oltman has been included in close to 30 editions of Who's Who in America, Who's Who in Entertainment, and Who's Who in the Midwest
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