PresenterNov 10, 2026 · 11:00 AM
NCMEA Conference: “Strings and Beats” with Kyra Totillo and Mira Frisch
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Composer · Conductor · Author · Performer · Music Educator
Music that starts in the classroom and doesn’t stay there.
Adrian Gordon writes music for student orchestras, conducts honor ensembles across the country, and helps music educators build programs that matter. His work connects the classroom, the concert stage, and the stories behind the music.
20+
years composing, teaching and conducting
16 / 50
states conducted or coached, on the way to all 50
Director
of Orchestras, Providence Day School, Charlotte
Featured at
Trusted on the field’s biggest stages
- The Midwest ClinicRehearsal lab clinician
- ASTA National ConferenceBoard of Directors
- Eastman School of MusicComposer residency
- NYSSMA Winter ConferenceFeatured resident composer
- WMEA ConferenceOrchestra headliner
- Ohio State String Teacher WorkshopHeadline clinician
- California All-State OrchestraConductor
- Georgia All-State OrchestraConductor
On the calendar
Upcoming appearances
ConductorNov 18-19, 2026
Guilford County Schools MS All-County Orchestra
Greensboro, North Carolina
ConductorNov 20-21, 2026
Cumberland County Schools All-County Honor Orchestra
Fayetteville, North Carolina
ConductorJan 19, 2027
Wake County All-County Chamber Orchestra
Wake County, North Carolina
The book
Note to Self
A music director’s guide for transitioning to a new school and building a thriving music program. An Amazon #1 New Release.
One musician, a whole portfolio.
Compose
String orchestra works for elementary through high school, with recordings and perusal scores.
Browse compositions →
Conduct & Clinic
All-state, all-county and honor orchestras, festival clinics, residencies and rehearsal labs.
Work with Adrian →
Write
Note to Self, a practical guide for music educators, with a book on portfolio careers in the works.
About the book →
Publish
Leap Year Music Publishing: original string music and educational resources.
Shop Leap Year Music →
New album · Coming soon
Heart on a String
Adrian Gordon and the Charlotte Strings Collective record the stories behind the music, the ones that go well past a piece’s grade level.
New music, new dates, first listens.
A short note when there’s something worth hearing. No more than once a month.