Tyler Goodrich White
Conductor / Artistic Director
Appointed Artistic Director and Conductor of the Hastings Symphony Orchestra in 2023, Tyler Goodrich White brings extensive experience as a conductor, composer, and educator. His work reflects a commitment to artistic excellence, thoughtful programming, and meaningful engagement with both musicians and audiences.
White has served as Director of Orchestras at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln since 1994 and joined the composition faculty in 1996. Prior to his time in Nebraska, he led orchestral programs at Cornell University and Trinity University in Texas. He has also held leadership roles with Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra, serving as Resident Conductor from 2000 to 2019 and as its first Composer-in-Residence from 2019 to 2023.
His conducting career has included guest engagements across the United States and internationally, with appearances in Mexico, Brazil, China, and Ireland. In 2007, he was named Best Musical Director at the Waterford International Festival of Light Opera, and he has also served as a guest lecturer in conducting at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing.
As a composer, White has received national and international recognition for a wide range of works, from orchestral and chamber music to opera. His compositions have been performed and commissioned by ensembles including the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra, and Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra. His opera O Pioneers! marked the first operatic adaptation of a Willa Cather novel and continues to be one of his most notable works.
White’s music has earned numerous honors, including awards from ASCAP and The American Prize, as well as recognition from the Global Music Awards. His Symphony No. 3 and orchestral work A Brand-New Summer are among his more recent award-winning compositions.
Originally from the Midwest, White brings both depth and approachability to his work. As Artistic Director of the Hastings Symphony Orchestra, he continues to shape performances that inspire musicians, engage audiences, and strengthen the Symphony’s connection to the community.