John Varineau

As associate conductor of the Grand Rapids Symphony, John Varineau conducts the orchestra nearly all of its concert series, including the Richard and Helen DeVos Classical Series, Fox Motors Pops Series, the SymphonicBoom Series, Crowe Horwath Rising Stars Series, DTE Energy Foundation Family Series, PNC Lollipop Series and the D&W Fresh Market Picnic Pops. He also conducts a variety of educational and outreach concerts throughout the area. Mr. Varineau is committed to nurturing the next generation of classical music lovers. He is a frequent visitor to area schools, and shares an infectious enthusiasm with students throughout West Michigan.

The 2012-2013 Season marks his 28th anniversary with the Symphony and 25th year as the conductor of the Grand Rapids Youth Symphony and Classical Orchestra. He has been a visiting orchestra conductor both at Calvin College and Western Michigan University, and a guest conductor for the Traverse City Symphony.
     
Mr. Varineau also appears in a variety of summer music programs in the region and plays in the chamber music group, Montage. In 2003, he appeared twice as a guest conductor with the Arkansas Symphony. Additionally, he conducts the Grand Rapids Symphony for performances by the Grand Rapids Ballet Company. Mr. Varineau is a clarinetist and recently joined Calvin College's music department as a professor of music and director of orchestras. Mr. Varineau attended Michigan State University, University of Wyoming and Yale School of Music for his clarinet training. He has made three recordings with the Grand Rapids Symphony and three with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. He and his wife, Gwen, have a daughter, Jade, and a son, Justin.

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