From ERIC BOLL, of Ashland Source:

"Michael Repper is a breakout star in the conducting world and will be lending his talents to the Ashland Symphony Orchestra as its next Conductor and Music Director. 

Repper recently claimed a #1 spot on the Billboard Charts with an album produced with the New York Youth Symphony.

“What I see my role is as a conductor, it’s more than just providing and presenting concerts of the highest artistic caliber,” Repper said. “That’s a baseline, it’s where we try to start. Fundamentally, what we’re trying to do as musicians is bring people together and connect people by using music. My mission, my objective, in my concerts is to energize people towards that goal, to try and bring people together, to try and connect people, to try and make our communities a more diverse and welcoming place.”

READ MORE at ashlandsource.com

In its fourth week on the Billboard Traditional Classical Chart, Michael Repper's album with the New York Youth Symphony and Michelle Cann hits #1. 

The album features debut recordings by Florence Price, Jessie Montgomery, and Valerie Coleman. 

PRICE: Ethiopia's Shadow in America (debut recording by American Orchestra)
COLEMAN: Umoja (debut recording of full orchestra arrangement)
PRICE: Piano Concerto in One Movement (Michelle Cann, Piano - debut recording of original orchestration)
MONTGOMERY: Soul Force (debut commercial recording)