04/30/2026
Thanks for the great article Daryl and the Frederick News Post!!
Here is the full interview taken from the FNP:
FSO rocks: Glenn Quader brings Pink Floyd to the symphony stage
Daryl Campbell Special to The News-Post Apr 28, 2026
For many people, the image of an orchestra conductor is frozen in stereotype — a stodgy European with wild hair, a strict devotion to the classics and little interest in modern sound. That assumption evaporated the moment I learned the Frederick Symphony Orchestra was preparing a full Pink Floyd program.
I jumped at the chance to cover it, and even more so to speak with someone who not only conducts the great symphonic works but also embraces other genres, eras and technologies. To my surprise and delight, conductor Glenn Quader is as comfortable with digital tools as he is with a baton.
He has been the FSO director for the past 10 years. I talked to him ahead of the special Pink Floyd show they’ll perform at (edited) [Thomas Johnson High School on Saturday, May 2nd.]
--Have you done projects like this before?
Several years back, I tried a project with another group, launching a full band-with-orchestra concert. It’s been highly successful. I’ve done about 30 of these shows since then, all around the region — Maryland, D.C., Virginia — and some large festivals as well. May 2 is all Pink Floyd, which is already symphonic in nature. We’ve done about four rock-with-orchestra shows with the FSO — a few at Baker Park and a few at FCC.
--What were some of the biggest challenges of bringing this piece together?
Not only is it a rock band and orchestra, but there’s a lot of outside music and sound — synthesizers, sequencers, sampler playback machines. It’s a very complex show with all of that added in. We’re hard at work getting the technical stuff sorted out. This taps into my long-standing career of working with a lot of different genres outside classical music. I’m a bass and saxophone player, so that’s taken me into jazz and popular music. I’ve recorded and toured all over the world, and now I’m pulling it all together to mesh with the full orchestra.
We want to present something relatable to our patrons — mostly classical music lovers who also enjoy rock. Pink Floyd is perfect for that. The music is symphonic in nature, full of large-scale soundscapes with so many layers. Believe it or not, I’ve been developing MIDI synth-bass systems for 15 or 16 years. My main bass is outfitted with a synth module, and I’m triggering much of the soundscape people will hear. It’s very complex. It’s even kept me up at night these last several weeks as I’ve tackled technical changes. Mac updated its operating system and changed some MIDI protocols, so I had to reprogram a ton of stuff. It’s functional now, and it ties into my studio background. I’ve always been into technology, and this show plays right into that. A couple of other band members have similar setups, so together we can complete the soundscape and make it real.
--Who arranged these pieces?
There’s a music company in Canada called Jeans ‘n Classics. They have a number of orchestral shows they’ve arranged — Pink Floyd, The Beatles, even funk. Their catalog is extensive. I’ve probably done no fewer than 120 charts from them in the past 15 years. The arrangements are very good for orchestra. Sadly, the arranger for this show, who was the mastermind, recently passed away. But the company still exists and operates. I love that I can perform the music I grew up on — the music that really kept me in music. Classical music can feel one-dimensional at times, stylistically speaking. Having other genres keeps things fresh for me.
--So, you were a fan of Pink Floyd previously?
My whole life. Growing up in the eighties, when “The Wall” came out, there was no way to avoid Pink Floyd. It was a big soundtrack to my youth. The albums we’re performing are “The Wall” and the epic “Dark Side of the Moon.” That’s the one with a ridiculous amount of sound sources — synthesizers, samplers, sequencers, everything.
--How is it for some of the other people in the orchestra?
Stylistically, a lot of them are out of their comfort zone, but I think they enjoy that. They want to know more about this kind of music. I always tell them: this is your one chance to be a rock star. Embrace it! Onstage, you have to approach it from a different perspective. It’s not a classical concert. You’re allowed to move your head, headbang, get into it. We want them to show that. I’m getting them out of their shell, and it gives them a new perspective. They might even walk down the street after the show and hear, “Oh my God, I saw you — that was so rockin’!”
--It could be life-changing!
It definitely can be. When we plan our season, we have to figure out themes, and every year we get the same question: when are we doing another rock show? That’s from our membership, and I love that. But I have to be careful not to overdo it or send the wrong message that we’re a pop orchestra. We’re a symphony first, but it’s nice to break out sometimes.
--A friend of mine wishes the Weinberg Center booked more edgy acts.
Every time we’ve done a show like this — especially when we first launched them — we saw a drastic uptick in ticket sales from people who would never step into a symphony hall. At our last Frederick concert, a Shostakovich program, I told the audience our next show was Pink Floyd. The reaction was immediate. It keeps symphonic music relevant while bringing in new listeners. Smaller regional groups like Frederick have to break the mold to keep people interested.
--Any other thoughts?
For classical purists who may be hesitant: this group is known for its depth and complexity of sound. With the full orchestra, the rock band, the gear — it’s something you don’t often hear live. Take a chance. You’ll know many of the tunes you grew up with. Pink Floyd is still relevant. There’s so much to enjoy. You’ll be surprised by how much the music resonates.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Daryl Campbell, who performs as Daryltron, is based in Frederick.
https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/arts_and_entertainment/fso-rocks-glenn-quader-brings-pink-floyd-to-the-symphony-stage/article_4ef103fa-f5e8-5477-8bff-655579cfc525.html
** Just to clarify the concert is being held at Governor Thomas Johnson HS in their beautiful venue!
Tix: www.fredericksymphony.org
