Bohuslav Rattay
Conductor
2025/2026
September 19/20, 2025
El Paso Symphony Orchestra
Glinka, Grieg & Tchaikovsky------October 17/18, 2025
El Paso Symphony Orchestra
Williams, Whitacre & Strauss------November 1, 2025
Midland Symphony Orchestra
Simon, Tchaikovsky & Rimsky Korsakov------December 5/6, 2025
El Paso Symphony Orchestra
Xmas Fantasia with Erica Spyers-----December 13, 2025
Midland Symphony Orchestra
Holiday Pops with Arielle Jacobs-----January 23/24, 2026
El Paso Symphony Orchestra
Ginastera, Lalo & Grofe-----February 27/28, 2026
El Paso Symphony Orchestra
Prokofiev & Beethoven-----March 7, 2026
Midland Symphony Orchestra
Williams, Gliere & Dehlinger-----April 4, 2026
Midland Symphony Orchestra
Bologne & Mozart-----
April 24/25, 2026
El Paso Symphony Orchestra
Carmina Burana-----May 2, 2026
Midland Symphony Orchestra
Hart, Calvache & Dvorak
Biography
Celebrated Czech-American conductor Bohuslav Rattay emerges as a vibrant global envoy for classical music, enchanting audiences across the world with his masterful and inspired leadership of symphonic works. Presently holding the esteemed positions of Music Director for both the El Paso Symphony Orchestra and the Midland Symphony Orchestra of Michigan, he is widely regarded as a prodigious talent of his era. Mr. Rattay fuses passionate, virtuosic artistry with an unyielding dedication to bringing the beauty of music to every corner of society.With an innovative vision, Mr. Rattay seamlessly weaves together the timeless traditions and bold innovations of classical music, creating performances that are both electrifying and refreshingly original. He crafts imaginative concert programs, enhanced with interactive audience dialogues and cutting-edge multimedia, offering a captivating and immersive experience. His profound connection to the classics, especially the evocative musical legacy of his Bohemian roots, has earned him widespread acclaim. Critics have hailed his work with phrases like, “Rattay is the quintessential guide for Tchaikovsky’s Fourth” (Charleston Today) and the poetic tribute, “Observing him conduct is akin to watching an artist paint vivid scenes in sync with living music on a vast canvas” (El Paso Times). His thoughtfully diverse programming strikes a chord with a wide array of listeners, delighting devoted fans while cultivating a new wave of symphony enthusiasts.Globally revered, Mr. Rattay is acclaimed for his inventive and deeply moving interpretations, earning praise for his “vibrant” performances and “refined flair” (Charleston City Paper), his orchestra-directing “contagious enthusiasm and dynamism” (Midland Daily News), and his distinctive artistry that imparts a “personal vision… destined to resonate for generations” (Duluth News Tribune). His commanding presence has graced renowned stages as a guest conductor, including the Colorado Symphony, Duluth-Superior Symphony, Lubbock Symphony Orchestra, Bogotá Sinfónica de Colombia, Antalya Symphony in Turkey, Teplice Philharmonic, and Karlovy Vary Symphony in his native Czech Republic. Recent highlights feature collaborations with the Virginia Symphony, West Michigan Symphony, Irving Symphony Orchestra, Prague’s Dvořák Symphony Orchestra, and the Charleston (SC) Symphony, where he received resounding critical acclaim. He has also led the National Symphony Orchestra through the National Conducting Institute and was selected for the prestigious Conducting Fellowship by the American Symphony Orchestra League.A passionate advocate for education, Mr. Rattay inspires young musicians as a dedicated educator. Appointed to the music faculty at the University of Texas at El Paso, he has previously enriched the academic communities of the College of William and Mary, Ball State University, and numerous youth orchestras throughout the United States. His youthful vigor, combined with his extraordinary conducting expertise, positions him as a highly influential and motivating mentor.Mr. Rattay’s impressive educational background includes degrees from the Prague Conservatory, Rice University, and the Peabody Institute of Music. He attributes his remarkable growth to the profound influence of mentors Gustav Meier, Larry Rachleff, Benjamin Kamins, and Neeme Järvi.
Resume
Music Director2013- Music Director, El Paso Symphony Orchestra, TX
2012-28 Music Director, Midland Symphony Orchestra, MI
2021-25 Director of Orchestral Activities at UTEP
2010-18 Music Director, Lake Charles Symphony Orchestra, LA
2006-12 Music Director, Muncie Symphony Orchestra, Muncie, IN
2006-12 Director of Orchestral Activities at Ball State University
2005-6 Music Director, College of William&Mary, Williamsburg, VA
2005 Assistant Conductor, Peabody Symphony Orchestra
Guest Conductor2025, Karlovy Vary Symphony, Czech Republic
2023 Florida International University, Miami, FL
2019 University of Texas at El Paso Symphony Orchestra, TX
2018 Mexico State Orchestra, Toluca Mexico
2017 West Michigan Symphony Orchestra, Muskegon, MI
2017 Irving Symphony Orchestra, TX
2016 Antalya Symphony Orchestra, Turkey
2016 Lubbock Symphony Orchestra, TX
2016 Bogota Sinfonica de Colombia
2015 University of Texas at El Paso Symphony Orchestra, TX
2015 Bogota Sinfonica de Colombia
2015 Cypress Chamber Orchestra, Cypress, TX
2013 Teplice Philharmonic, Czech Republic
2013 Rainier Symphony Orchestra, WA
2012 Colorado Symphony Orchestra, Denver, CO
2012 Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra, Duluth, MN
2012 Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, Hilton Head, SC
2009-11 Charleston Symphony Orchestra, Charleston, SC
2010 West Michigan Symphony Orchestra, Muskegon, MI
2006-8 Dvořák Symphony Orchestra, Prague, CZ
2007 Cernigov Symphony Orchestra, Ukraine
2007 Alabama All-State Symphony Orchestra, AL
2006 Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Norfolk, VA
2006 UT Austin Symphony Orchestra, Austin, TX
2004 St. Petersburg Academic Orchestra, Russia
2004 Moscow Chamber Orchestra, Russia
2004 Parnu City Symphony Orchestra, Estonia
2002 Manchester Symphony Orchestra, CT
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