Candler Schaffer

WFSO Music Director and Conductor

2012-13 marks the 17th season of Candler Schaffer's tenure as Music Director of the Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra. Previously he has served as Music Director of the Space Coast Pops Orchestra (Florida) and conducted the Baltimore Symphony, the Strauss Symphony of America, the American Institute of Musical Studies Festival Orchestra In Graz (Austria) and the Lawton Philharmonic Orchestra.

Originally from the Washington, D.C. area, Schaffer holds degrees from the University of Miami and the University of Maryland, and a Master of Fine Arts and a Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of Iowa. Dr. Schaffer has conducted the orchestras and taught conducting at Texas Christian University, Oregon State University, Texas Women’s University and Midwestern State University. An enthusiastic advocate of contemporary music, Schaffer co-founded and directed the Wichita Falls Symphony/Midwestern State University new music series, Century Concerts.

Dr. Schaffer is on the faculty of the Florida Southern College where he teaches French horn. He is the Principal Horn and member of the Conducting Staff for the Space Coast Pops Orchestra and frequently performs with Opera Tampa and The Clarion Brass.