William Noll, Artistic Director
Conductor, classical and jazz pianist William Noll is a performance veteran of the major concert halls of the United States and Europe.  From Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall in New York to festivals and tours in Italy, Belgium, Austria and China, Mr. Noll embodies excellence in performance as evidenced by his leadership with major musical organizations: The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (Assistant Conductor to Maestro Robert Shaw and Resident Pianist), the Atlanta Opera (Founding Director), the Choral Guild of Atlanta (Artistic Director), Providence Opera Theatre (Artistic Director) as well as guest conductor with various summer festivals including Aspen (CO), Spoleto (SC) and Brevard (NC).  Mr. Noll began his opera career in his early 20's and his jazz career at age 35.  When asked about his musical duality of classic and jazz, he replies, "I have always done what was expected. I never think of separate 'hats' ... it's all music to me.  I don't care to categorize it – It's all great music to be performed well."

An opera specialist, Noll has conducted for the New York City Opera, the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra at Avery Fisher Hall, as well as for Opera Naples (FL), Atlanta Opera, Providence Opera Theatre (RI) in such classic works as Rigoletto, La Traviata, Rienzi, La Boheme, Madama Butterfly, Pearl Fishers, Flying Dutchman, and Carmen.

As an orchestral interpreter, Noll has led the New Mexico Symphony, the Savannah Symphony (GA), and Opera Orchestra of New York's summer concerts. In the spring of 2000, Noll made his conducting debut in Beijing in a sold-out performance of an all-Tchaikovsky program. A last-minute replacement for Maestro Jens Nygaard, he led the Jupiter Symphony Orchestra (NY) in three sold-out performances of works by Haydn, Villa-Lobos and Glazunov. Noll led the AIMS Festival Orchestra (Austria) to critical acclaim in a program of French opera scenes. He continues his association as conductor with the esteemed Miami International Piano Festival and their rosters of exceptional international artists in a series of concert collaborations spanning from Asia to the United States.

As a classical pianist, Mr. Noll appeared as soloist with the Jupiter Symphony Orchestra (NY) under conductor Jens Nygaard in performances of the fiery and virtuosic Concerto No. 2, op. 56 by Polish composer Xaver Scharwenka.  In honor of the composer's centennial anniversary, Noll appeared as soloist in Aaron Copland's Piano Concerto with the Dekalb Symphony (GA).  He recently appeared as guest soloist with the Tupelo Orchestra (MS), in a heralded performance of Univ. of Michigan composer Michael Daugherty's innovative piano concerto "Le Tombeau de Liberace".  Mr. Noll has collaborated with James Levine, Robert Shaw, Zubin Mehta, Julius Rudel, Milton Katims, John Nelson, Eve Queler, Jorge Mester, Christian Badea, and Donald Vorhees, among many others.

As a jazz pianist, Noll had the honor of an invitation by members of the Royal Family, HRH Prince Edward and Countess Sophie, to give the inaugural performance on their new Steinway at their Royal Residence.  His catalog of commercial recordings of classical, symphonic and jazz repertoire continues to grow on Newport Classic, Intersound, Pro-Jazz, Time-Life, and Sony labels. Television and radio credits include classical concerts and jazz orchestra specials for PBS, live simulcast performances for national networks, and over six years of hosting "Fanfare," an Atlanta weekly radio feature. His most recent broadcast was an hour-long Christmas Day special for CBS.
This season, Mr. Noll also celebrates his twenty-five year tenure with the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company as Executive Director of Entertainment. 

With William Noll's vast experience in both the classical and jazz fields as a pianist and as conductor, he is especially thrilled to be the newly appointed Artistic Director of Classic Chamber Concerts of Naples and to lead CCC in the debut of the Fifth Avenue Chamber Orchestra.

Susan Mainwaring,
Executive Director, Classic Chamber Concerts

What do you do for Classic Chamber Concerts?
As the executive director, I am a multi multi-tasker! I assist subscribers with concert tickets, work with printers on design for our brochure and concert program, meet with business leaders regarding sponsorships and ads, write the press releases, and work closely with the CCC Board.

What is your earliest musical experience?
Growing up in Cleveland, Ohio, I was fortunate to attend concerts of the acclaimed Cleveland Orchestra. I began piano lessons at the age of 4.  Although I did not study with my grandmother, she was my mentor and I was not allowed outside to play until I sat on the piano bench with her and practiced for thirty minutes!  I gave several recitals in high school, but haven't touched the piano for some 30+ years!

How do you participate in the arts outside of CCC?
We are so fortunate to have a wide variety of arts opportunities in Naples and I enjoy going to concerts, plays, opera and museums.  As secretary of the United Arts Council of Collier County, I serve on the executive committee and help to promote and build partnerships with county arts organizations. 

What do you like to do when you’re not at work?
I love to attend concerts and visit museums, but also enjoy crossword puzzles, solving ciphers and reading.  Spending time with friends is also important and I enjoy being a member of The League Club, Inc. an organization of women in Southwest Florida committed to strengthening communities through fellowship, education, volunteerism and philanthropy.  My special joys are my two pets –  Abby, my darling little Shih-Tzu, and Fiona, my sweet silver kitty.

What are your 'roots' and how did you come to Naples?
Although I was born in Detroit, Michigan, we moved to Cleveland, Ohio when I was just 5 months old.  So, I truly do consider myself to be a Buckeye!  After college, I received my master's degree in Spanish and taught at The American School in Mexico City.  Living abroad was a marvelous experience of exposure to a new culture, learning to communicate in a new language, and of navigating a world capital!  Upon my return to the U.S., I worked in the travel industry as Director of Operations for a convention travel agency. I traveled frequently, with groups from 40 to 800 passengers!  Common sense and people skills were imperative.  You never knew when someone would lose a passport, have a baby, be robbed on the beach or have travelers checks stolen.  There are some great stories to tell, but it is all these experiences which help me today as Executive Director for Classic Chamber Concerts.

Do you have a favorite past CCC concert?
That is a nearly impossible question to answer since I’ve heard nearly every concert since 1998 when I first became executive director of CCC. Bringing some of the most well known chamber groups to Naples were definitely highlights – we presented the Tokyo String Quartet as well as the Emerson and the Guarneri String Quartets. 

What’s in your iPod or cd payer right now?
Mendelssohn's Symphonies 4 & 5 performed by the London Symphony Orchestra, Josh Groban, ABBA, Edith Piaf and Katherine Jenkins – an eclectic mix!

Board of Directors

Officers
Helen Noble
President

Donald Shapiro
Immediate Past President

Alan Harris
Vice President

Delores Sorey
Vice President

Douglas Bracy
Treasurer

Leonard Stagoski
Secretary

Lifetime Honorary Directors
Georgia P. Foster
Torrey N. Foster
Mary Loughray

Directors
Hyonja Lee Abrons
Mary Baron
Jeannette Boucher
Yvonne Brandt
Andrea Clark Brown
Judy Castel-Cruz
Marian Dolan
Robert Hicks
Ann Jacobson
Frank L. Klapperich, Jr.
K. Patrick Kruchten
Merlin Lickhalter
Gail Rothenberg
Harriet Schley
JoAnn Smallwood
Roz Travis
Barbara Vaccaro

Contact Information
Susan A. Mainwaring
Executive Director

Maestro William Noll,
Artistic Director

P.O. Box 7854
Naples, FL 34101
239-434-8505

info@classicchamberconcerts.org
www.ClassicChamberConcerts.org