Kevin Stites
Kevin Stites is thrilled to be returning to his “hometown” orchestra, having conducted a solo concert with Kristin Chenoweth and the RSO. He most recently made his Chicago Symphony and Ravinia Festival debut conducting YOURS, STEPHEN SONDHEIM, with Brian Stokes Mitchell, Heather Headley, and Alexandra Billings, and spent six seasons as Music Director for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. His Hollywood Bowl appearances include INTO THE WOODS (2019), THE PRODUCERS (2012), GUYS AND DOLLS (2009), LES MISERABLES (2008), and Kristin Chenoweth’s solo concert with the Los Angeles.Philharmonic. Kevin also conducted the L.A. Phil at Walt Disney Concert Hall with Brian Stokes Mitchell, several Symphonic Concerts with Kristin Chenoweth, and DO YOU HEAR THE PEOPLE SING with the Oklahoma City, Hartford, and Dallas (Pop) Orchestras. He was Music Director for Manhattan Concert Productions of TITANIC and CRAZY FOR YOU at David Geffen Hall as well as BROADWAY CLASSICS at Carnegie Hall, and conducted the mono-opera FALLING MAN, by Kenneth Fuchs, at the 911 Museum Memorial. He is the Music Director/Pianist for Deborah Voigt’s VOIGT LESSONS. Guest Conductor: Grant Park Symphony (Sondheim, Bernstein, Gershwin, Loesser, Porter, and Lerner and Loewe tributes).
His work on Broadway includes: ON THE 20TH CENTURY (Revival), SOUTH PACIFIC (LCT), TALE OF TWO CITIES, THE COLOR PURPLE (Music Supervision/Incidental Music), TITANIC (Original Musical Supervisor/Music Director), SUNSET BOULEVARD, LES MISERABLES (2006 revival), THE THREEPENNY OPERA (Roundabout Revival), FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (2003), NINE (Revival), OKLAHOMA! (Nunn/Stroman Revival), ON THE TOWN, NINE TO FIVE (Additional Musical Arrangements). His tour credits: LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, THE COLOR PURPLE, MARTIN GUERRE, MISS SAIGON, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, LES MISERABLES, and TITANIC. Film/Television: “Rosie Live!,” “Reefer Madness,” “Letterman,” “Rosie,” several Tony Awards Telecasts, and 2 IL VOLO specials for PBS. Last Fall he conducted and music-directed the world premiere of MR. HOLLAND’S OPUS.
Kevin is a proud graduate of Pecatonica High School, Pecatonica IL, and earned his Bachelor's and Master’s Degree in Music from the University of Illinois, Urbana/Champaign, studying under the tutelage of Professors Emeritus Kenneth Drake and John Wustman. He served as a graduate teaching assistant with Opera Illinois and was awarded the Creative and Performing Arts Fellowship in 1979/80.