Meet the Maestro

Carl Topilow

Music Director & Founding Conductor 

As founding conductor of the Cleveland Pops Orchestra, Carl Topilow has delivered eclectic programs acclaimed by audiences and critics alike. Topilow continues to perform as a clarinetist in a variety of styles, including popular, jazz, classical, and Klezmer, often playing one of his brightly colored clarinets.

Topilow is also conductor of the Firelands Symphony Orchestra, based in Sandusky, OH. After 42 years as conductor of the National Repertory Orchestra (NRO), a summer festival in Breckenridge, CO, he continues an active role with the orchestra as Conductor Laureate. He was named Faculty Emeritus after 37 years as Conductor and Director of the Orchestral Program at the Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM) and instructor for the master’s program in orchestral conducting. Past positions include principal pops conductor of the Toledo Symphony Orchestra, Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra, and Mansfield Symphony Orchestra, and principal guest conductor of the Florida Lakes Symphony.

Carl’s career has seen him positively influence countless conductors, orchestral musicians, choristers, and audiences. Many of his conducting students from the Cleveland Institute of Music and assistant conductors from the National Repertory Orchestra now hold prominent positions worldwide. Topilow continues his role as educator through his work as a clinician and teacher for conductors. A frequent guest conductor, Topilow has performed in this role with 134 different orchestras in 37 states and 12 foreign countries.

Topilow’s late wife, Shirley Morgenstern, co-founder of the Cleveland Pops Orchestra, served as President and CEO for 30 years. Through her inspired leadership, the orchestra continues to deliver entertaining, interactive performances throughout northeast Ohio. Their daughter Emily is now working as Director of Strategy and Planning with the orchestra and plays locally as a violinist with the Heights Chamber Orchestra. Their daughter Jenny is a violinist with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra.

Carl is excited to announce his new book, A View from the Podium: An Inside Look at the Conductor’s World, available this coming November. His earlier book, The Orchestral Conductor’s Career Handbook, is available at carltopilow.com and bloomsbury.com.