In Thursday’s (2/24) Pentagraph (Bloomington, Illinois), Dan Craft reports, “After an extensive search process begun last summer, the Illinois Symphony Orchestra has narrowed its choices for new music director down to a quintet. That group will lead the ISO’s 2011-2012 season, with each candidate guest-conducting the symphony, as well as becoming actively involved in various special events, education programs and community appearances. The contenders will be stepping up to the podium in the wake of exiting music director Karen Lynne Deal, whose 11th season conducting the symphony officially ends in June.… Collectively, the five candidates’ credentials span the nation and beyond. They are, alphabetically: Donato Cabrera, resident conductor of the San Francisco Symphony and music director of the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra; Rei Hotoda, assistant conductor of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra; Kenneth Raskin, associate conductor of the Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra and former assistant conductor of the North Carolina Symphony; Andrew Sewell, music director of the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra and former music director of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra; Alastair Willis, former associate conductor of the Seattle Symphony and a guest conductor with major orchestras … The assignments for each candidate will be announced when the ISO unveils its 2011-12 season dates, programs and guest artists in early April.”
Posted February 24, 2011
