Jack Everly

Distinguished Alumnus Jack Everly, Class of 1970

Jack Everly is the son of Jack Everly, Sr., and Winifred Everly and grew up in Richmond, Indiana, graduating from RHS in 1970. He began playing the piano at the age of six and was an accompanist for his seventh through tenth grade choirs. While a student he held many piano recitals at the Leland Hotel.  Jack played first bass in the orchestra under Ralph Burkhardt with whom he did his first conducting and arranging. He won a competition for young people, allowing him to play with the Richmond Symphony Orchestra in 1965 at age twelve. He played bass in the symphony during his high school years.

Jack Everly was nominated as a Distinguished Alumnus by David Davenport in 2002.  He wrote, “During my tenure as director of choral music at Richmond High School, Jack was a student of mine.  He had an excellent singing voice and was selected to be a member of the top performing RHS concert choir.  He  was also a gifted accompanist.”  Everly was unable to attend his RHS Distinguished Alumni award evening in April 2003 due to his conducting at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

Everly attended Indiana University School of Music and earned a BA degree in music in 1974.

He has served as the music director of the Indianapolis Pops Orchestra’s holiday productions since 1994.  Previously he was music director for the American Ballet Theatre for fourteen years. He also worked with the Lunt-Fontanne Theater in New York City, conducting the Broadway revival of “Hello Dolly” starring Carol Channing.  He accompanied Miss Channing to the White House during the Carter administration.

In 1989 he conducted the fiftieth anniversary of the American Ballet Theatre at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City.

Everly returned to Richmond in 1987 to conduct the Richmond Symphony Orchestra at Civic Hall.

He has collaborated and recorded with various musicians including Marvin Hamlisch, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Brightman, and Mary Martin. Everly has also conducted and recorded for several movie soundtracks, including Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

In September 2002, Maestro Everly was appointed the Principal Pops Conductor for the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, where he remains as principal conductor today.  He also serves as conductor for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and The National Arts Centre in Ottawa, Canada.

Jack Everly lives in Indianapolis but is often seen conducting in Washington, D.C., for the annual Memorial Day and July 4 holiday concerts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  380 Hub Etchison Parkway, Richmond, IN 47374

 (765) 973-3338