“Sarah Ioannides, who has served as music director and conductor of the Spartanburg Philharmonic Orchestra since 2005, is stepping down from her post,” writes Dan Armonaitis in Friday’s (8/7) GoUpstate.com (South Carolina). “She will leave the orchestra at the end of the 2016-17 season.… ‘Spartanburg has been such an important part of my life—not only for me but also my family,’ Ioannides said by phone Thursday afternoon. ‘All of the friendships I’ve made in Spartanburg that have really enriched my time with the orchestra won’t ever go away…. I look forward to remaining supportive beyond my tenure and available to provide whatever support I can for the organization.’ ” Also music director of the Tacoma (Wash.) Symphony Orchestra, Ioannides “has brought several innovative programs to Spartanburg and has given the orchestra the opportunity to collaborate with world-renowned composers and guest artists.… Ioannides and the SPO began a partnership with Carnegie Hall in 2012, each year performing the ‘Link Up’ program for thousands of Spartanburg County elementary school students.… ‘Sarah’s a real talent who has a lot of room left to grow,’ … SPO board president Ray Dunleavy said. ‘She’s leaving us in excellent shape.’ … A search for Ioannides’ successor will begin immediately.”
Posted August 12, 2015
