Larry Kuntz - Music Director
Maestro Larry Kuntz is happy to be serving in his second tenure with the Hanover Symphony Orchestra. His first tenure lasted from 1995 until 2011, and he started his second tenure in 2020. He holds degrees in music education from Mansfield University in Mansfield, PA and VanderCook College of Music (VCM) in Chicago, IL. While at Mansfield, Kuntz was a Presser Foundation Scholar, won first prize in the Kreuscher Performance Scholarship Contest, and was named Music Department Outstanding Senior upon graduation. Since obtaining his Master of Music degree from VCM, he has completed post-graduate work in conducting at VCM and at the University of South Carolina, where he participated in the prestigious Conductors’ Institute of South Carolina.
In addition to his work with the HSO, Kuntz is also Director of Music Ministries at Grace Church of Hanover, and he is a private studio teacher at Menchey School of Music. He taught orchestral music in the public schools of Pennsylvania and New York for 35 years, including 10 years in the Hanover Public School District and 21 years in the South Western School District. As an educator, Mr. Kuntz has been listed in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers and Who’s Who in America, and he has been the subject of a WITF-sponsored Great Teacher Essay written by one of his high school students – all on multiple occasions.
When he’s not on the podium with the HSO, Maestro Kuntz maintains a rigorous performing schedule as a trumpeter and violinist. He is a former member of the Corning Philharmonic Orchestra in Corning, NY and the Hershey Symphony Orchestra in Hershey, PA, and he currently performs with the HSO Brass Quintet, Swingin’ Seven Jazz Band, and in the Kuntz Family Consort with his wife Debra on piano, his daughter Olivia on violin, his son Trevor on viola, and his son Scott on cello. All three of his children still play in the HSO when their schedule allows! When not making music, he likes traveling with his family (especially to Cape May, NJ) and spending time with his adorable, faithful Yorkie-Poo, Maxwell Amadeus.
In addition to his work with the HSO, Kuntz is also Director of Music Ministries at Grace Church of Hanover, and he is a private studio teacher at Menchey School of Music. He taught orchestral music in the public schools of Pennsylvania and New York for 35 years, including 10 years in the Hanover Public School District and 21 years in the South Western School District. As an educator, Mr. Kuntz has been listed in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers and Who’s Who in America, and he has been the subject of a WITF-sponsored Great Teacher Essay written by one of his high school students – all on multiple occasions.
When he’s not on the podium with the HSO, Maestro Kuntz maintains a rigorous performing schedule as a trumpeter and violinist. He is a former member of the Corning Philharmonic Orchestra in Corning, NY and the Hershey Symphony Orchestra in Hershey, PA, and he currently performs with the HSO Brass Quintet, Swingin’ Seven Jazz Band, and in the Kuntz Family Consort with his wife Debra on piano, his daughter Olivia on violin, his son Trevor on viola, and his son Scott on cello. All three of his children still play in the HSO when their schedule allows! When not making music, he likes traveling with his family (especially to Cape May, NJ) and spending time with his adorable, faithful Yorkie-Poo, Maxwell Amadeus.