Alumnus, lecturer Lam attends acclaimed orchestra management seminar

Carl Lam, a violinist and vice president of the Western New York Chamber Orchestra and an adjunct lecturer in the Department of Communication, was one of 34 participants in the League of American Orchestras’ Essentials of Orchestra Management program in mid-July.

The 10-day immersive seminar, held at the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music, provides a thorough overview of orchestra management. It develops the careers of orchestra managers by providing an in-depth overview of orchestra administration and offering participants the unique opportunity to learn from faculty comprised of orchestra executives, musicians and leadership experts.

Mr. Lam’s musical education at Fredonia set in motion an already deeply held belief that access to a thriving culture of music in society is a moral imperative, said Lisa Layman, WNYCO executive director. “He has an extraordinary educational and professional background, and this opportunity further broadened an already wide reach within our orchestra and beyond.”

In addition to his performance and administrative roles at WNYCO, Lam is a regular member of the Clarence Summer Orchestra and Southern Tier Symphony, a substitute with the Erie (Pa.) Philharmonic Orchestra and was a contracted player of the former Erie Chamber Orchestra.

Lam is also general manager of the University at Buffalo Symphony Orchestra and a contractor with the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Buffalo.

Previous administrative positions held by Lam include alumni concert coordinator and librarian of orchestras at Fredonia and co-chair of the Cheektowaga Community Symphony Orchestra’s conductor/music director search committee. Lam is also a part-time host for WNED-FM, the classical music station serving Western New York at Southern Ontario, and recently became a freelance meteorologist with 680 NEWS Weather Team.

Lam received a B.A in Applied Music and Journalism and a B.S. in Audio/Radio Production, both from Fredonia in 2014, and a M.Ed. from the University at Buffalo.