Conduct Unbecomingly Brilliant: SLO Symphony’s Andrew Sewell on Music, Memory, and Mastery

Part of our month-long ARTober on Up+Adam series

This week on Up+Adam, Adam welcomes Andrew Sewell, the visionary conductor and Music Director of the San Luis Obispo Symphony, for a rich and revealing conversation about the power of music, the art of conducting, and the emotional undercurrent of performance. From the magic of the baton to the subtle skill of knowing when to disappear into the music, Andrew shares what it really takes to lead an orchestra, not with ego, but with empathy.

You’ll hear why the best conductors don’t just keep time, they make moments. Adam also gets a surprise conducting lesson, a front-row breakdown of what musicians actually watch for, and a thoughtful dive into how music carries memory, legacy, and even grief. As part of our ARTober series celebrating arts and culture in San Luis Obispo, this episode offers a backstage pass into a world where timing, trust, and truth come together in sound.

• San Luis Obispo Symphony

slosymphony.org

Explore concerts, events, education programs, and ticket info.

• ARTober in SLO

slocity.org/ARTober

Find live performances, public art installations, studio tours, music, theater, and more.

• Experience ARTober Downtown

downtownslo.com/events/artober

Incentives, pop-ups, and everything happening in the heart of downtown SLO.



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