KSYOA Conductor audition progress...

[Noel Jones]

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Stephanie Burdette
Phone: 865-521-2317
step...@knoxvillesymphony.com

Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra Association Launches a Music
Director Search

September 22, 2009 – KNOXVILLE, TN – The Knoxville Symphony Youth
Orchestra (KSYO) is currently searching for a new Music Director
following the retirement of previous director Sande MacMorran. After
35 years of leading the KSYO, MacMorran now holds the title of
Conductor Emeritus.
A search committee of Knoxville Symphony Orchestra staff (KSO), KSYO
staff, KSYO student representatives, parents, KSO musicians, board and
league members narrowed the pool of international applicants to four
semi-finalists. For the first round of auditions each candidate will
lead a rehearsal of the Youth Orchestra and interview with the members
search committee. The committee will then pick two finalists to be
invited back to work with the KSYO through a second rehearsal, dress
rehearsal and conduct at the Fall concert on November 16, 2009 at the
Tennessee Theatre. A final decision will be made following the
concert.
“Sande MacMorran founded and expanded the Knoxville Symphony Youth
Orchestra into the association that is today boasting five performing
ensembles,” says KSO Director of Education and Community Partnerships
Jennifer Barnett.  “His is a distinguished legacy and impact on the
music education community that will be difficult to follow, but we
hope for a dynamic leader who can continue to expand the reach of the
KSYO.”
(more)
(KSO/YOUTH MUSIC DIRECTOR SEARCH – PAGE 2)
KSYO Music Director semi-finalists are as follows: 
(all rehearsals
involving the semi-finalists will begin at 6:30 PM at the UT School of
Music Band Room)

Dan Alcott [Round 1 rehearsal: September 21]
Dan Alcott currently serves as the Director of Orchestras at
Tennessee Tech as well as the Music Director and Conductor of the
Bryan Symphony Orchestra. He will be completing a 10-year tenure as
the Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Atlanta Ballet
Orchestra. Previously he was the Music Director of the Columbus (IN)
Youth Orchestra and the Terre Haute (IN) Youth Orchestra. While Music
Director of the Columbus Youth Orchestra he also served as the
Associate Conductor and Director of Education for the Columbus
Philharmonic.

Edward Pulgar [Round 1 rehearsal: September 28]
Edward Pulgar currently holds the position of Principal Second Violin
for the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra. He has conducted a number of
orchestras across the United States and abroad. Pulgar also boasts
several years of teaching experience including Carson-Newman College
where he currently holds the position of Adjunct Professor of
Strings. He is product of Venezuela’s internationally acclaimed
Sistema Nacional de Orquestas Juveniles e Infantiles de Venezuela.

Wesley Schulz [Round 1 rehearsal: October 5]
Wesley Schulz currently serves as Music Director of the University of
Texas University Orchestra and Assistant Conductor of the University
of Texas Symphony Orchestra. He is also the Music Director, Conductor
and Founder of the Texas Chamber Group, Assistant Conductor of the
Austin Symphony Orchestra and Assistant Conductor/Pops Conductor of
the Britt Music Festival. Aside from his conducting, Schulz also
holds the position of Teacher Assistant at the University of Texas,
Austin.

James Fellenbaum [Round 1 rehearsal: October 12]
James Fellenbaum currently holds the positions of Director of
Orchestras, Conductor of Opera and Professor of Conducting at the
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, as well as the position of
Resident Conductor for the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra. As Resident
Conductor of the KSO he serves as the cover Conductor for all
subscription series concerts as well as the Conductor for Outreach,
Pops and Young People’s Concerts. Fellenbaum was one of the Top 5
Finalists in the 2006 International Gennady Rozhdestvensky Conductors
Competition.

The Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra Association is currently
celebrating its 36th season. The orchestras rehearse on Monday
evenings at the University of Tennessee School of Music. The Youth
Orchestra Association will perform three concerts throughout the
season on November 16, February 22 and May 3. All three performances
will take place at the Tennessee Theatre and are FREE and open to the
public. The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, Knoxville Symphony League
and the University of Tennessee School of Music sponsor the
Association.
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