In Sunday’s (5/2) San Diego Union-Tribune, James Chute profiles Philip Mann, the assistant conductor at the San Diego Symphony who has been named music director of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. “There’s a plaque outside the Jan Carl Roshong Memorial Recital Hall at Fort Lewis College in Colorado. It’s inscribed to the memory of Philip Mann’s stepfather, Jan Roshong, ‘in honor of his devotion to students and his commitment to musical artistry and teaching excellence.’ Roshong was also conductor of the San Juan Symphony, and he contributed to numerous other community endeavors … ‘I saw the influence he had and thought, that would be something I’d be very privileged to do for a city someday.’ Mann is going to get his chance. The 32-year-old conductor was recently named music director of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, his first professional orchestra directorship. And like his stepfather, he is determined to make a difference. ‘I want to share with people the impact the arts, music in this case, can have as part of your daily life,’ Mann said. ‘I think a life without some element of the arts or music is impoverished. And once people come to that realization, and see the incredible benefits the arts or music can have on their lives, they recognize that, too.’ ” Mann was recently an American Conducting Fellow with the League of American Orchestras.
Posted May 5, 2010
