A Tribute to PYP’s Musical Director, David Hattner

Posted on August 31, 2023

Banner Image from Season 99 (2022-2023) by Alice Fern and Zachary Person

Conductor, clarinet player, educator, and Portland Youth Philharmonic (PYP) Musical Director since 2008, David Hattner is a crucial and beloved part of PYP’s rich history.

As he leads us into the centennial season, we want to celebrate him for his unwavering dedication to the young musicians in our community for the past 16 years.

David Hattner is only the fifth Musical Director since PYP opened its doors as the Portland Junior Symphony in 1924; he was also the first of PYP’s Musical Directors to be born in the United States.

PYP has evolved so much over the years and Hattner is directly responsible for many of the programs and resources we offer today. PYP School Music Enrichment Programs, such as free Bass classes and Middle School Coaching are just a couple of Hattner’s exceptional contributions to PYP’s legacy.

When he first came to PYP, he remembers thinking that no one could live up to the talents, personalities, and achievements of his predecessors. Through his own participation in student ensembles over the course of his life, Hattner had an understanding, coming into the organization, of what was possible for young musicians; however, he had a lot to learn about what the philharmonic orchestra would achieve each week. Though there were certainly moments of anxiety in the beginning, the orchestra’s progress “accelerated amazingly” right before each performance.

Photo from Season 86 (2009-2010) by Rudolff

“That first-year orchestra had many incredible players in it,” Hattner recalled. “Several have gone on to distinguished professional music careers. Two future Operations Directors, Kevin Allen and Amanda Chan, also played in that year’s orchestra.”

Looking back on those first years, Hattner said he had no idea he would be here so long. He attributes a portion of his nearly two-decades long residency to the “incredible working environment” that PYP provided, as well as the students, who he says are the “finest citizens in this community. His time in Portland also led him to his wife, Kristie, who has a thriving career in the tech industry.

“An orchestra like PYP has thrived with stability in its history,” said Hattner. “While professionals can adjust to a different conductor for every performance…students need some consistency. Every season when we start rehearsing, the returning players know to lead by exemplifying the fundamentals we emphasize in every rehearsal: solid rhythm, excellent intonation, phrasing musically and playing in between the notes as well as listening intensely to their colleagues. The new members of the orchestra are eager to fully participate, and it inspires them to work hard… At PYP, every player understands that the assignment is to produce excellence.”

David Hattner, in tandem with the PYP musicians, have produced many exemplary and memorable performances over these last 16 years. His knowledge of repertoire composed in America and beyond, has allowed Hattner to develop relevant, thoughtful, challenging, and attractive programming.

Photo from Season 99 (2022-2023) performance of Beethoven’s Ninth by Zachary Person

One such program took place as recently as the Philharmonic Orchestra’s Season 99 finale concert in May, 2023. Hattner led the musicians and guest artists, the Portland Symphonic Choir, through the long-revered masterpiece that is Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.

Audience members raved, saying:

“Beethoven’s Ninth was so moving!!! It touched my soul!”

“Superb music, stellar musicians, excellent leadership, bravo!!!”

“[Rating this a 10] because there was no option for ‘11’; the performance was simply outstanding.”

Following that performance a few days later, Hattner led PYP’s chamber orchestra Camerata PYP and guest artists In Mulieribus in a world premiere of Jessica Meyer’s Because I will Not Despair and a West Coast premiere of Kareem Roustom’s Hurry to the Light, which he says was another notable performance in Season 99.

“When we worked with In Mulieribus previously on Voices of Light in the sold-out Schnitzer Hall with the Joan of Arc film, that was certainly a highlight,” Hattner exclaimed! “Others that stand out are the Shostakovich Symphony No. 4, the performance at the Grant Park Music Festival in Chicago, and our several performances with pianist Llewllyn Sanchez-Werner.”

Photo from Season 94 (2018) of Voice of Light performance by Clark

Since 2008, Hattner has been instrumental in the musical education of countless young musicians. In fact, many musicians have noted the major influence their time in PYP has had on their lives and, often times, the careers.

“I’m proud that so many musicians from PYP are high achieving scholars of various academic fields…The fact that these young musicians choose such a demanding orchestra to play in when they have so much other homework to do is always impressive to me…I don’t know how much I influence them; I think that the composers we study and perform do that. They work hard and learn all their fundamentals so that Beethoven, Brahms and Dvorak, as well as the many living composers we play, can have their maximum inspiration.”

Though Hattner may not know how much he inspires his students, these musicians (and many others) do:

“‘Let me help you.’ Mr. Hattner would follow these words by moving his head and clapping off-beat whenever rhythm would pose a challenge to the orchestra. His focus on discipline by encouraging use of metronome, regular practice, preparing for auditions, being on time for rehearsals, and more is indicative of his dedication to strengthening the PYP community…From rehearsals to performances, Mr. Hattner brings out the best in me and the entire orchestra. It is truly fitting and wonderful that Mr. Hattner leads PYP in celebrating its 100th year anniversary!” - Luke D’Silva, PYP violist

“Mr. Hattner’s mentorship has been an unforgettable part of my experience with PYP. He taught us to listen deeply, communicate through our instruments, and work harmoniously as a team. Beyond the music, he instilled values of dedication and collaboration that have enriched not just my musical journey, but also my life.” - Katie Liu, PYP violinist

“Throughout my five years in PYP, I learned invaluable lessons from Mr. Hattner, both about music and not. I learned all of the fundamentals of playing in an orchestra from him, as well as many practical tricks that I still use to this day. The skills I learned in PYP have prepared me exceptionally well for going into music professionally, and for that I have Mr. Hattner to thank!” - Ben Price, PYP oboe Alum

“Throughout the past eight years, Mr. Hattner has been a constant presence in my life, one which has had profound impact both on me and also on many of my colleagues…Mr. Hattner has winsomely convinced us not to aspire towards what is “good” but rather to strive after excellence, which, although necessitating a greater outpouring of labor to attain, is an entirely worthwhile pursuit…Mr. Hattner has been more than just my conductor; he has been my mentor, and the wisdom he has imparted to me is such as shall accompany me into the future.”- Maggie Carter, PYP double bass player

Photo from Season 92 (2016) by Kimmie Fadem

In 2023-2024, Hattner will lead one of the biggest orchestras PYP has ever had in five outstanding performances that are filled to the brim with fan-favorite classical masterworks, exciting premieres, and special guest artists including Portland Piano International 2023 Concerto Competition Winner Nolan Tu, Imani Winds, Thomas Lauderdale, Hunter Noack, and Huw Edwards!

“I hope that all of Oregon will be a part of PYP’s historic centennial celebration,” Hattner said. “I think all of us who have conducted PYP wish for the same thing: COME HEAR THE ORCHESTRA…The organization and the musicians who perform in PYP deserve that. The idea that young musicians in Portland, a relatively small city, have achieved excellence consistently for 100 years is an unbelievable achievement…I often say there is nothing magical about what PYP does; it can all be explained by hard work. However, the intense, focused energy which this group of students puts into the spirit of the music is pretty special. If one would want to call it magic, that I could accept.”

Those words ring exceptionally true to all of us at PYP. We invite you to come celebrate and experience the magic-like dedication of Hattner and the young musicians of the Philharmonic Orchestra, beginning in November.