In Wednesday’s (6/12) Chicago Tribune, John von Rhein reports that the Elgin (Ill.) Symphony Orchestra “has named Andrew Grams, former assistant conductor of the Cleveland Orchestra, as its next music director. The 35-year-old American conductor will begin a three-year contract on July 1 and is to lead the first concerts of the 2013-14 season Oct. 5 and 6 in Elgin’s Hemmens Cultural Center, the orchestra announced Wednesday.” A native of Maryland, Grams was selected from a pool of more than 200 applicants to succeed Robert Hanson, who stepped down in 2011 following a 28-year tenure. “Grams was the last finalist to audition, doing so in orchestra concerts last month. He had previously guest conducted the Elgin Symphony in 2009 and was the musicians’ unanimous choice, said committee chairman Harry Blizzard.” Grams holds a degree from The Juilliard School in violin performance and a degree in conducting from the Curtis Institute of Music. He served as the Cleveland Orchestra’s assistant conductor through the American Conducting Fellows Program administered by the League of American Orchestras.
Posted June 13, 2013
