Colonel
Arnald D. Gabriel
Col. Arnald Gabriel served sixteen years as Music Director of The McLean
Orchestra. Under his inspired leadership and vision, the Orchestra grew
in size and repertoire and achieved an impressive reputation for artistic
excellence. The McLean Orchestra is proud to have had a director of such
exceptional talent and experience, who has won critical acclaim both
nationwide and throughout the world over the course of his extraordinary
conducting career.
Col. Gabriel is a
very familiar figure in the Washington area. He retired in 1993 as
Chairman of the Department
of Music at George Mason University where
he was named Professor of Music Emeritus.
Col. Gabriel was
named the first Conductor Emeritus of the United States Air Force
Band in 1990 following a distinguished career as Commander-Conductor
of the internationally renownedAir Force Band, Symphony Orchestra,
and Singing
Sergeants. During his tenure, these groups performed in the Washington
area and all over the world.
In tribute to his
steadfast pursuit of musical excellence, Col. Gabriel was awarded
one of America’s highest peacetime awards, The Legion of Merit, on
three separate occasions for improving international relations through
music. His numerous conducting accomplishments and contributions
to music have earned him many honors. In 1989 his alma mater, Ithaca
College, conferred upon him an Honorary Doctor of Music degree
and in 1977 he was further honored with its lifetime Achievement
Award. He is also listed in the “International Who’s Who in Music,
7th Edition.” He was inducted into the National
Band Association Hall
of Fame of Distinguished Band Conductors in February 1992.
Col. Gabriel maintains
a busy guest-conducting schedule and receives invitations from orchestras
and music festivals around the world. He has won critical acclaim
over the years, guest conducting approximately 700 bands and orchestras
throughout the United States and in nearly 50 other countries.