“Wheeling Symphony Orchestra officials announced Thursday that John Devlin has been selected as the organization’s new music director and conductor,” writes Linda Comins in Monday’s (7/1) Herald-Star (Steubenville, OH). He succeeds André Raphel, who stepped down at the end of the 2017-18 season. “As the ninth music director in the Wheeling Symphony’s 90-year history, Devlin said he feels ‘responsibility and optimism for what the future holds.’ Devlin, 33 … sees two equal tasks: ‘Making sure the symphony meets the needs of the community’ and ‘preserving the excellence of this ensemble.’ … He envisions an infusion of great young American music with the classical canon. He also wants to design new concert experiences and provide opportunity for the musicians to share their stories about the music they love…. Devlin … and his wife, Camille, … live in Honolulu, but plan to move to Wheeling in October…. He joins the WSO after an 18-month nationwide search and a year of finalists conducting the orchestra…. Devlin will begin his tenure as the full-time leader by conducting the orchestra’s free Music Under the Stars concert … on Sept. 1…. Devlin promised that the year-long 90th anniversary celebration will include a surprise gift to the community.”
Posted July 2, 2019
