Up and Down the Scale: January through March 2019

We are excited to share the latest developments and changes in the professional lives of our members. This edition covers announcements made January through March 2019. If you want to share the administrative, board, or staff member happenings at your organization, send announcements to [email protected]

Individuals

Festival Mozaic named Jeri Corgill, a Festival Mozaic board member, as interim executive director. With a varied background in finance, public policy, city government, travel and tourism and nonprofit consulting, Corgill will lead Festival Mozaic until the board’s search for a permanent executive director is concluded.

The San Diego Symphony Orchestra announced that Edo de Waart was appointed principal guest conductor. The renowned conductor began his new role in the 2019-20 season conducting the orchestra for three to four weeks a year.

 Los Angeles Philharmonic violinist and MacArthur fellow Vijay Gupta gave up his seat as one of the L.A. Phil’s first violins to focus on teaching and to develop his nonprofit Street Symphony, which since 2011 has been performing free concerts for Los Angeles’ homeless and in county jails.

The Ojai Music Festival appointed Barbara Hannigan as music director, ushering in a fantastic array of new artists, music, and experiences to drive the 73rd Ojai Music Festival. It will will take place from June 6 to 9, 2019.

Santa Rosa Symphony named San Francisco native Francesco Lecce-Chong to be the organization’s fifth Music Director. The Symphony also announced three new appointments to its board of directors. Sean Pryden and Gerold C. "Jerry” Wunderlich join the Board as first-time members, and Emeritus Board Member Gordon Blumenfeld returns to the Board.

Los Angeles Philharmonic appointed Zubin Mehta as Conductor Emeritus of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. During his 16 seasons in Los Angeles, he broke down cultural and social barriers and positioned the orchestra as a resource for the entire community.

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra appointed critically acclaimed composer Ellen Reid to succeed Andrew Norman as LACO's Creative Advisor and Composer-in-Residence. LACO also named Erik Rynearson as Principal Viola and Erick Jovel as Second Trumpet. LACO expanded the role of General Manager Kate Kammeyer to include serving as Artistic Administrator and has promoted several other staff members. Assuming growing roles are LACO employees Taylor Lockwood, promoted to Operations Manager; Brandon Faber, now Assistant Director of Events and Sponsorships; Dina-Marie Weineck, now Executive Assistant & Board Liaison; and Alana Miles, Advancement Associate.

Michael Remson, San Diego Youth Symphony’s incoming President and CEO, was recognized by the National Guild for Community Arts Education with their Milestone Award, presented to individuals who have provided longstanding, exceptional service to the community arts education field.

Esa-Pekka Salonen will become the San Francisco Symphony’s next Music Director beginning in September 2020. As the Symphony’s 12th Music Director, Salonen will succeed Michael Tilson Thomas, who concludes his 25-year tenure.

Pacific Symphony announced that Richard Kaufman will retire as principal Pops conductor in May 2020 and will be named principal Pops conductor laureate beginning in 2020. Mr. Kaufman has served as principal Pops conductor since 1990. 

Organizations

The Carson City Symphony Association awarded Ashlyn Parnham, Diana Banuelos Ibarra, and Jasmine Wong-Fortunato the third annual Rosemary Nebesky Memorial Scholarship. It is awarded each year to one or more Carson City student musicians (age 5 to 17) who wish to develop their music education.

The Las Vegas Philharmonic Guild raised $20,000 for the Las Vegas Philharmonic. The funds raised by the Guild support the Philharmonic’s music education and community outreach programs, including the annual Youth Concert Series and Music Van, which are integral to the organization’s mission to enhance the Las Vegas community through music, culture and education.

The Oakland Symphony announced the launch of Hall Pass, a new program offering free access to the full concert experience for eligible community members facing financial challenges.

The Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners voted to advance the San Diego Symphony’s Bayside Performance Park project, a “park within a park” that will include park improvements and a new performance venue in the Port’s Embarcadero Marina Park South on the San Diego Bay waterfront.

Santa Rosa Symphony, in partnership with Eugene Symphony, will launch the First Symphony Project in the fall of 2019. Four acclaimed American composers have been co-commissioned by the Santa Rosa Symphony, Eugene Symphony, and nine patron households, including Music Director Francesco Lecce-Chong, to write their first symphony. Additionally, each of the composers will be Composer-in-Residence for both performance weeks of their symphonies, participating in community outreach activities.

Share this post:

Comments on "Up and Down the Scale: January through March 2019"

Comments 0-5 of 0

Please login to comment