“Baltimore native Andrew Grams started multitasking at an early age,” writes Diane Peterson in Friday’s (11/24) Press Democrat (Santa Rosa, CA). “While studying conducting at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia … the Juilliard-trained violinist was also hopping on trains to perform with the New York City Ballet Orchestra. So the diverse challenges of directing a modern symphony orchestra—equal parts baton technique, public speaking and community outreach—do not daunt the 40-year-old conductor, who currently serves as the fourth music director of the 67-year-old Elgin Symphony Orchestra in Elgin, Illinois…. Grams will lead the Santa Rosa Symphony this Saturday through Dec. 4…. The conductor is the third of five finalists trying out this season to succeed Music Director Bruno Ferrandis [at the end of the 2017-18 season]. Grams is known for creating a close relationship with the community … ‘One of the things that I like to do is to … make everyone know that music is for everyone. All should feel welcome.’ ” An interview with Grams is included, and the newspaper is profiling each Santa Rosa candidate during the season, who in addition to Grams include Graeme Jenkins, Mei-Ann Chen, Francesco Lecce-Chong, and Michael Christie.
Posted November 27, 2017
