In Tuesday’s (7/6) El Paso Times (Texas), Doug Pullen writes, “Two days after conducting the El Paso Symphony Orchestra’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular concert at the Chamizal National Memorial, conductor and music director Sarah Ioannides announced she is leaving after the upcoming season. Ioannides, the orchestra’s first female conductor and sixth overall, did not give a reason for her planned departure. … One possible explanation: Ioannides gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl, on April 22. She also has a 2-year-old daughter with husband Scott Hartman, who is a musician. ‘EPSO was very fortunate to find a remarkable musician like Sarah. We are appreciative of the contributions she has made to our orchestra and to El Paso throughout her career with EPSO,’ Debbie Hand, president of the symphony’s board, said in the release. A search for a replacement will begin immediately, Hand said. The symphony opens its 80th season on Sept. 24-25. Ioannides, who also is music director of the Spartanburg Philharmonic Orchestra in South Carolina, plans to conduct the season. Her final concerts with the EPSO will be April 15-16.”
Posted July 7, 2010
