“As job searches go, this one’s unique,” writes Rosemary Ponnekanti in Sunday’s (2/17) News Tribune (Tacoma, Washington). “What other leadership position would require the candidate to be fully immersed in the Tacoma community while mostly living somewhere else? … To be responsible for bringing a 400-year-old art form to 21st-century Tacomans with innovation and passion? The Tacoma Symphony Orchestra is looking for just such a person—a new artistic director for the nonprofit organization, which is made up of 80 musicians, a chorus, three staff members, two conductors, a board and its committees, and numerous volunteers. And after nearly two years of searching, the TSO has whittled the list to four finalists. … The first finalist—Sarah Ioannides—will take the podium Tuesday for rehearsals and will lead the symphony’s concert Feb. 24. … ‘What’s at stake is the future of the orchestra’s relationship to the community,’ said Judith Kurnick of the League of American Orchestras. …‘There has to be a sense from the people outside that something special is happening for the community.’ … For the TSO, the process began in May 2011 with the formation of the search committee, a group of 13 that included orchestra musicians, staff members, board members, subscribers and an outside adviser.” In addition to Ioannides, music director of the Spartanburg Philharmonic, the music-director finalists are Paul Haas, music director of the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas and Sympho; Kevin Rhodes, music director of the Springfield (Maine) Symphony Orchestra; and Scott Speck, music director of the West Michigan and Mobile (Alabama) orchestras.
Posted February 19, 2013
