From Pittsburgh to the Podium: Howard Hsu Brings Heart and Vision to the Valdosta Symphony

By Carol A. Gasser Moore |

VALDOSTA, Lowndes County, Ga. – For more than three decades, the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra has been one of South Georgia’s cultural treasures, blending professional musicians, faculty, and students into performances that rival those of much larger cities. At the center of it all is Conductor Howard Hsu, whose passion for music and community has guided the Symphony since 2009.

Hsu’s path to the podium wasn’t straightforward. Growing up in Pittsburgh, he studied violin from age seven and played in youth orchestras. Yet his first degree was in business and marketing — a “safer” choice, he admits with a smile. After a short stint in advertising, he realized his heart belonged to music. “It was difficult,” he recalls, “trying to balance creativity with paying the bills. But at some point, you just have to go for it.” That decision led him to New York, years of performing, a doctorate, and ultimately, Valdosta.

What makes the Valdosta Symphony special, Hsu says, is its unique mix of college students learning beside seasoned professionals. “I love watching students’ eyes light up when they hear the orchestra around them. It’s not an experience you can replicate — it’s transformative.”

His programming reflects the same balance of tradition and discovery. Visiting soloists often influence the repertoire, while anniversaries and themes shape the season. This year includes a celebration of American composers, a nod to both history and innovation. “I want audiences to experience what the composer intended,” Hsu explains, “and to feel the power of live performance. It’s like the difference between watching sports on TV and being in the stadium.”

Beyond the concert hall, Hsu is committed to outreach. Through youth concerts, the South Georgia String Project, and initiatives like Tunes for Tots, the Symphony introduces young people to classical music while filling gaps in local music education. “Everyone should have the chance to experience music,” he says.

Even after years on the podium, Hsu still feels awe when stepping onto the stage. “When I see the musicians waiting for me, ready to play, I have to pinch myself. Together, we’re about to make something powerful.”

And while his heart is firmly in the classics, he’s not without humor. Asked which band he’d secretly love to conduct in a rock show, he doesn’t hesitate: “The Beatles. Having the orchestra behind them would be incredible.”

From honoring Beethoven to imagining a Beatles concert, Howard Hsu embodies the blend of tradition and fresh spirit that defines the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra. More than concerts, his vision offers shared experiences that unite, inspire, and delight audiences of all ages.

 

🎶 Concert at a Glance

Valdosta Symphony Orchestra – Season Opener
“In the New World”

📅 Saturday, September 27, 2025
🕖 7:00 p.m. (Pre-concert chat at 6:15 p.m.)
📍 Whitehead Auditorium, Valdosta State University

Program Highlights:

• Jessie Montgomery – Soul Force
• Lowell Liebermann – Flute Concerto No. 1, Op. 39
  🎵 Featuring soloist Sarah Jane Young, Flute
• Antonín Dvořák – Symphony No. 9 in E Minor, Op. 95 “From the New World”

Tickets:
🎟 $34 / $31 / $24
🌐 valdostasymphony.org
📞 (229) 333-2150