Finding his rhythm & his calling

David Commanday speaks on leading Carmel Symphony Orchestra

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No Title Needed is your weekly invitation to meaningful, heart-to-heart conversations. Hosts Scott Osborne and Cindy Collins welcome passionate and inspiring guests to share the experiences, challenges, motivations, and defining moments that have shaped their lives and careers. Each conversation offers a chance to discover new perspectives, connect with your community, and walk away with a little inspiration of your own.

This week, Osborne and Collins welcomed David Commanday, Maestro for the Carmel Symphony Orchestra (CSO) since July 2026. He spoke about music’s healing power and how it takes us from the fast pace of our lives and slows us down to an appropriate pace.

Commanday has come a long way from his childhood vision of becoming a brain surgeon. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, he began piano when he was 6 and switched to the cello at age 9. He attended Harvard with aspirations of studying pre-med and cello when conducting caught his interest. He considers himself a non-invasive brain surgeon in his current calling.

Having founded Lowell House Waltz evening, Commanday certainly left his mark at Harvard, as the event is still happening at Harvard to this day. He shared where he went following Harvard and how he came to Carmel.

During the sit-down, Commanday praised the quality of the Palladium and how much it contributes to the success and sounds of the CSO. He states that it is “a brilliant place to make music; one of the finest in the world. The quality of sound, audience experience and orchestra experience are incomparable.”

He explained the value of silence to an audience when listening to music. The venue itself should serve as a blank canvas. The Palladium provides that, allowing CSO and other groups to create great art.

Commanday said he is excitedly anticipating the start of CSO’s 2026-2027 season beginning on Oct. 10. This will be the 50^th anniversary for the CSO. He shares the various themes for the performances and how they tie into the 50^th anniversary of Carmel as a city and the 250^th anniversary of our great nation.

He shared the news that cellist Alexander Hersh will come in from Chicago to play the solo in that first performance. He also provided information about the Music Matters Program coming on Oct. 28.

Other upcoming events for the CSO will be providing the musical background for the Nutcracker over Thanksgiving weekend with the Indiana Ballet Conservatory, Holiday Pops in December, the Feb. 13 “Hearts” concert, and more.

This interview is one you won’t want to miss. It is inspiring to hear Commanday discuss how his occupation is not something he decided on; it is a calling that he discovered, and that makes all the difference.

Tune in next week as No Title Needed welcomes Keith Potts, music director, cellist, singer, actor, and politician.

No Title Needed is taped every week inside The Hotel Carmichael in Carmel and airs at 8 a.m. Mondays. Tune in as Scott Osborne and Cindy Collins welcome a new guest and explore what fuels those people and their passions beyond the 9-to-5 grind. Follow the show at Facebook.com/notitleneededshow.