In Sunday’s (11/29) Omaha World-Herald, Betsie Freeman reports that the Omaha Symphony “today named Ernest Richardson the orchestra’s principal pops conductor, a position they created just for him.” Formerly resident conductor, Richardson “will be the primary programmer and conductor for the Symphony Pops, Symphony Rocks and Movie Music series.… He’s using the process he employed to create [the orchestra’s Christmas show] to develop other pops concerts for the Omaha Symphony to perform and perhaps market to other orchestras. He’s working on two to debut later this season.… ‘He has a proven track record in creating dynamic, innovative and entertaining concerts of popular music,’ symphony President and CEO James Johnson said in a press release. Johnson called Richardson the face of the pops concerts: ‘charming, warm and welcoming.’ ” After receiving a master’s degree in viola performance from the University of Michigan, Richardson joined the Phoenix Symphony as a violist, then worked in operations and joined the conducting staff. “After nine years, he was recruited for the [assistant conductor] job in Omaha.” Richardson is also music director of the Steamboat Symphony in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and founding artistic director/CEO of the Rocky Mountain Summer Conservatory.
Posted November 30, 2015
