March 19, 2026
We are moved to share that Larry Rachleff, Walter Kris Hubert Professor Emeritus of Orchestral Conducting, has been posthumously honored with the 2026 CODA Lifetime Achievement Award.
A titan of the podium, Maestro Rachleff was recognized for "his extraordinary contributions to the orchestral profession, conducting pedagogy, and music education." Beyond his transformative three-decade tenure at the Shepherd School of Music, Rachleff's influence has left an immeasurable impact on the lives of countless musicians across the nation.
The award from the College Orchestra Directors Association was accepted on behalf of the Rachleff family by David Beauchesne, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Philharmonic, where Rachleff served as Music Director for 21 years.
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LARRY RACHLEFF
COLLEGE ORCHESTRA DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION 2026 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD (IN MEMORIAM)
The National Board of the College Orchestra Directors Association will posthumously present the CODA Lifetime Achievement Award to Larry Rachleff in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the orchestral profession, conducting pedagogy, and music education.
Rachleff served as Music Director of the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra from 1996 to 2017, where he elevated the artistic stature of the organization and played a central role in the merger that created the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra & Music School. Through his artistic leadership and unwavering advocacy for music education, he became a cornerstone figure in the development of the music industry, music education, and the performing arts throughout Rhode Island and the greater New England region.
He was also the Walter Kris Hubert Professor of Orchestral Conducting at Rice University, serving as Music Director of the Shepherd School Symphony and Chamber Orchestras, and previously led the San Antonio Symphony. Widely respected as a dynamic and insightful musician, Mr. Rachleff was in constant demand as a guest conductor, appearing with the Utah Symphony, Houston Symphony, Seattle Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Kansas City Symphony, Phoenix Symphony, Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, and Toledo Symphony Orchestra, among many others. His summer festival engagements included Tanglewood Music Festival, Aspen Music Festival and School, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Chautauqua Institution, Brevard Music Festival, Music Academy of the West, Opera Theatre of Lucca, and the Grand Teton Music Festival.
President Viquez, the National Board and the entire CODA community wishes to thank Mr. Rachleff’s wife, Susan, his son Sam, and David Beauchesne, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra & Music School for joining us to celebrate Larry's legacy, a titan of the music industry whose influence extended far beyond New England to shape the landscape of orchestral studies, conducting, and music education for our entire nation.
