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Elgin Symphony Orchestra announces finalists in music director search
(March 25, 2022 -- Elgin, Ill.) Eight notable music conductors have been named finalists in the music director search by the Elgin Symphony Orchestra. The two-year search process kicked off last year when Andrew Grams announced he would depart at the end of the 2020-21 season. The new music director will be announced at the conclusion of the 2022-23 season.
Elgin Symphony Orchestra announces finalists in music director search
One of the finalists was a guest conductor in the ESO’s 2021-22 season. Canadian conductor Tania Miller led the ESO in its October 2021 season opener, “Pines of Rome.” She was music director for Canada’s Victoria Symphony for 14 years and was named Director Emerita for her commitment to the community. Miller will conduct the Calgary Opera next year.
The seven additional finalists will make their ESO appearances in the 2022-23 season:
Andres Lopera on Oct. 8 and 9, 2022
• Lopera is in his third season as associate conductor of the Columbus Symphony and music director of the Columbus Youth Symphony Orchestra.
John Gennaro Devlin on Nov. 5 and 6, 2022
• As music director of the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra, Devlin, at age 35, is one of the nation’s youngest music directors to lead a professional symphony orchestra.
Andrew Crust on Jan. 7 and 8, 2023
• Crust is associate conductor of the Vancouver Symphony in Canada and is in his second season as music director of the Lima Symphony.
Kyle Ritenauer on Feb. 4 and 5, 2023
• Ritenauer is founder and artistic director of the Uptown Philharmonic, and has led ensembles across North America, Europe, and Asia. He is also on the conducting faculty of the Manhattan School of Music.
Lee Mills on March 4 and 5, 2023
• Mills is currently the associate conductor of the Seattle Symphony and previously served as resident conductor of the Brazilian Symphony Orchestra.
Alex Amsel on April 1 and 2, 2023
• Argentinian-born conductor Alex Amsel is currently assistant conductor for the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra’s 2019-2021 seasons.
Chad Goodman on May 6 and 7, 2023
• Goodman is currently conducting fellow for the New World Symphony, and founder and artistic director of the Elevate Ensemble.
The award-winning Elgin Symphony Orchestra (ESO) was founded in 1950 and became a fully professional ensemble in 1985. Having been named Orchestra of the Year four times by the Illinois Council of Orchestras, the ESO is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Over its history, the ESO has featured a roster of legendary soloists including classical music legends Yo Yo Ma, Kathleen Battle, Itzhak Perlman, Pinchas Zucherman, Sir James Galway and James Ehnes. The ESO gives back to the community through ensemble members’ performances at local hospitals and retirement homes, free Listeners Club experiences, and open rehearsals. For more information, visit www.elginsymphony.org.
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EDITORS NOTE: Biographies of guest conductors and artists are available on the ESO concert pages at www.ElginSymphony.org. For photos, contact Donna Lake, donna@larkinlake.com.
About the Elgin Symphony Orchestra
The Elgin Symphony Orchestra has a long history of highlighting the works of world-renowned conductors, composers, and musicians, and of promoting the advancement of women in the arts. Founded in 1950 as a community orchestra, the ESO became a professional ensemble in 1985, in good part due to the leadership of the late Margaret Hillis, who was music director at the ESO from 1971-1985. Hillis was one of the first females to break through the male-dominated world of conducting and is credited with being the impetus behind the creation of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra Association, the formation of the ESO League, and the start of the ESO’s outreach to youth through concerts for school students.
Today, the ESO continues to draw its creativity and artistry from the Elgin area and gives back to the community through ensemble members’ performances at local hospitals and retirement homes, free Listeners Club experiences, and open rehearsals.
The ESO has been named Orchestra of the Year four times by the Illinois Council of Orchestras (1988, 1999, 2005 and 2016).
The ESO is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. To learn more or to support the ESO, visit www.elginsymphony.org.
