In Wednesday’s (4/1) Tennessean (Nashville), Will Ayers writes about the Bruno Walter National Conductor Preview. “The private event, which continues through today at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, is a showcase for eight rising conductors to perform before an audience of about 50 artist managers, orchestra directors and other powerful figures in the industry. It’s organized by the League of American Orchestras and held every two years in a different city. For orchestras seeking conductors, it’s the place to be. Each of the conductors here was plucked from an applicant pool of hundreds to come to Nashville and lead its crack orchestra for a total of one hour split between two days, covering swaths of musical territory from Haydn to modern composer John Adams. There are no rehearsals beforehand, so the conductors meet the musicians right as they walk onstage to be evaluated. … ‘It’s kind of like ‘Orchestra Idol,’ said Giancarlo Guerrero, who is now the Nashville Symphony’s music director because someone with say-so noticed him at the 2001 Preview in Chicago. ‘You’re literally being paraded in front of the powers that be here in the orchestral world, from orchestra managers to artist managers, people who can really help you enhance your career.’ ” The article is accompanied by a slide show with audio, located here .
Posted April 1, 2009
