This concert is the North Carolina Symphony debut for Christopher Confessore. 

Christopher Confessore currently serves as Music Director of the Brevard Symphony Orchestra and Principal POPS Conductor of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. His schedule as a guest conductor has included appearances with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Houston Symphony, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, Charlotte Symphony, Naples Philharmonic, Sarasota Orchestra, Hartford Symphony, Tucson Symphony Orchestra, New Mexico Philharmonic and the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. He made his international debut in June of 2004, conducting the Sibiu Philharmonic Orchestra in Romania.

Confessore has accompanied a distinguished list of artists, including Itzhak Perlman, Joshua Bell, and Lang Lang. As a Pops conductor, he has appeared with Grammy Award-winners Art Garfunkel, Amy Grant, Roberta Flack, Judy Collins, Marvin Hamlisch, Indigo Girls, Chris Botti, Patti LaBelle, LeAnn Rimes, Peabo Bryson, and Charlie Daniels, and Tony Award-winners Idina Menzel and Jennifer Holliday.

Confessore’s holds a master's  degree in conducting from the University of Southern California and a bachelor's degree in bassoon performance from Florida State University.