A report in Friday’s (6/19) Gainesville Sun (Florida) states, “The Ocala Symphony Orchestra announced Friday morning that Matthew Wardell will be its music director and conductor for the 2009-10 season. Wardell is the associate conductor of the University of Florida Symphony Orchestra and production manager of the Gainesville Chamber Orchestra. Wardell, a Jacksonville native, graduate cum laude from the University of North Florida and earned a master’s degree in orchestral conducting from the University of Florida. The orchestra board announced last month that it would not renew its contract with Atlanta resident James Plondke, the professional orchestra’s conductor and music director of eight years.”

Posted June 22, 2009