Alois J. Hochstrasser is the founder, mentor and conductor of the Pannonian Philharmonic Orchestra, musical director and conductor of the Graz Concert Chorus, as well as the artistical director of "interpannon concert" and "Styria Classic".

Among others he studied at the University and Academy of Music and performing Arts, Vienna, at Hans Gillesberger and Hans Swarovsky; following intensive courses with Sergiu Celibidache.

He is founder and director of several festivals, "music-weeks" and summer-academies, such as the International Orchestra-weeks Erl, Tirol (Today: „Tiroler Festspiele Erl“), which he directed until 1998. Aditionally he founded the "Steirische Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde" and the Symphonic Orchestra Graz. In cooperation with the "Lions Club Hartberg" he conducted and lead the annual Autumn-concert at "Stiftskirche Vorau" for twenty-five years. Moreover he conducted the orchestra-concerts at the "Güssinger Kultursommer" for several years.

Over the course of his career, he has conducted many orchestras in several countries over Europe, the USA and Southafrica, such as the Philharmonia Hungarica, Erfurter Philharmonie, National Youth Philharmonic South Africa, Lowten Philharmonic, Züricher Philharmonie, Staatskapelle Weimar, NÖ Tonkünstler Orchestra and many others.

Aditionally he directed many Video- , TV- , CD- and Radio-Productions; such as the first recording of Franz Schmidts „Buch mit Sieben Siegeln“ world-wide.

Since 1997 Hochstrasser operates as artistic director of the Classic-Festival „Sommerphilharmonie Leoben“ in upper Styria. Together with the Pannonian Philharmonic Orchestra, the Graz Concert Chorus, the Graz Concert-Youth-Chorus and in cooperation with other important choirs of the pannonian region he presents an extensive musical program of symphonic and choir-symphonic concerts, Operas, Oratories and film-music of highest quality.

Thanks to Hochstrasser‘s artistical achievements he has been honoured with several prices: He was awarded the great „Ehrenkreuz“ 1st class for Art and Science by the President of the Federal Republic of Austria, and has been elected as an Honorary Member of „Franz Schmidt Gemeinde“ Vienna.
In 2001 he was awarded the golden „Ehrenzeichen“ of the state capital by the senate Graz; 2006 the head of provincial government Styria honoued him with the great „Ehrenzeichen“ of the Land Styria. In 2009 he got the culture prize of the City Leoben.

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