In the 2025 Spring semester at Daytona State College, the DSC Orchestra welcomed a new conductor, Victor Rivera, who took over from Mauricio Cespedes and brought a fresh perspective, along with a new guiding principle: “fun.”
“I got a phone call from a buddy of mine saying that the opportunity was there,” he said. “So I put all my stuff together, sent it in, and I was fortunate enough to get the job.”
The DSC Orchestra is labeled as a class at DSC, titled, MUN1210 Orchestra. This class is not only composed of students, but it includes players from the community as well.
“It’s just people that absolutely love music, who want to get up on stage and perform for the community,” said Rivera. “And honestly, being up there on the podium is an absolute privilege.”
Rivera coordinates the players, as conductors do within an instrumental or vocal ensemble. Conductors also cue or provide a beat for the players to know when to play.
Rivera’s job is also to ensure everything runs smoothly, from selecting the music to guiding the orchestra through each performance.
“I select the programs, decide what we’re going to play, put it together, and prep it myself,” he said. Beyond logistics, he added, “I spend a lot of time trying to figure out the best ways to communicate with the orchestra without talking, convincing them of my artistic ideas, how I want the music to be performed, and how I want it to be played and interpreted.”
Before conducting for the DSC Orchestra, he was the Artistic Director of the Flagler Youth Orchestra (FYO). “The program was about to fall, and that’s when I stepped up and took the Artistic Director job,” said Rivera.
While at FYO, Rivera ensured that the program wouldn’t fail, after the previous Artistic Director had retired from the program.
He made sure that the program was financially stable and there were people capable enough to run it. Only then did he step out and start conducting for the DSC Orchestra, though his main rule has been to have fun since before and during his time with FYO.
His time with the DSC Orchestra came with support and determination to have every member become better over time.
“He brings a professional level of musicality with humor and kindness,” said Sharon Mary Clark, the Section Leader (First Chair) for the Second Violins in the orchestra. “He encourages each section of the orchestra with personal attention and presses each member to achieve greater levels of success in their chosen instrument,” Clark said.
While conducting the DSC Orchestra, Rivera is also a professor at DSC and teaches two classes, MVS 1311 – Applied Music Principal, Violin, and MVS 1211 – Applied Music Secondary, Violin.
Both classes teach violin, but along with those the classes also cover the viola, cello, and double bass.
Rivera and the DSC Orchestra work through the problem areas during rehearsals, communicating and applying information to create their performances.
“He’s hilarious and makes rehearsals a lot of fun,” said Kelly Ceiler, the Concertmaster (First Chair for the First Violins). “He encourages us to produce the desired sound without criticizing players.”
But Rivera is not just conducting, he’s also accomplishing a goal and dream of his after leaving FYO. “That’s when this opportunity came up, and I’ve always wanted to have my own orchestra,” said Rivera.