Southwest Florida Symphony – Search For Music Director
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Searching the Southwest Florida Symphony for a new music director is a much less formal process than the last time you had to find a teacher. Four conductors, each chosen by a search consultant, lead the symphony as guest conductors this season.
Perhaps one of these conductors will be the next musical director of the symphony.
Maybe not.
A new house: Southwest Florida Symphony finds a new home for concerts and rehearsals at Fort Myers’ Bell Tower
The orchestra has not officially announced the guest conductors as candidates for the job of music director, but Ginsburg says many members of the audience already understand this, some of whom have already approached board members with their thoughts on the guest directors.
The four conductors were hand-picked by the orchestra’s music director research consultant Bob Moir, a retired vice president of artistic planning and audience participation for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. He is working with a symphony search committee that includes a mix of musicians, employees, board members and people from the Southwest Florida community.
One of these directors, Vlademir Kulenovic, conducted the first “Masterworks” concert of the season in December. Three more guest conductors are scheduled, starting this Saturday with Laura Jackson, the first female conductor to conduct the orchestra, according to the symphony.
Right now, these are the only candidates being considered, Ginsburg says. But they are not called “finalists” because, unlike a music director’s last search, there were no preliminary rounds. And more candidates could act as guests next season if none of these fit well.
The average music director stays with an orchestra for six or seven years, says Ginsburg. So they want to choose the right one.
“It’s a big commitment,” he says. .
Former symphony music director Nir Kabaretti left the orchestra in 2020 after conducting it for six years. He was the fifth conductor in the 60-year history of the Fort Myers Orchestra.
VLADEMIR KULENOVIC
His concert: “Masterworks 1” Dec. 11 at Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall south of Fort Myers. The program included “The Star-Spangled Banner,” Ravel’s “Piano Piano Concerto,” and Stravinsky’s “Firebird Suite.”
Age: 41
Current house: Chicago
How to describe your leadership style: “Collaborative.”
“On the one hand, I strive to be the defender of the composer, and on the other hand to be the instrument of the orchestra’s musicians …”, he says. “The practical purpose of the conductor is to listen to the inherent energy of the orchestra’s musicians. This is where collaborative magic lies. “
Why he would be a good musical director for the symphony: “All I can tell you is that I will give and fully commit to this task and this team,” he says.
Current and past jobs: He has been musical director of the Lake Forest Symphony in Illinois, associate director of the Utah Symphony, resident director of the Belgrade Philharmonic and principal conductor of the Kyoto Festival.
Music education: He holds a bachelor’s degree in piano and a master’s degree in conducting from the Boston Conservatory, a graduate degree from the Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University and a postgraduate degree in acting from Juilliard.
LAURA JACKSON
His concert: “Masterworks 2” on Saturday, January 22 at Mann Hall. The program includes “Fiesta!” by Bellido, Haydn’s “Cello Concerto No. 1” and Sibelius’s “Symphony No. 2”.
Age: 54
Current house: Ann Arbor, Michigan
How to describe your leadership style: “I aim for concerts that are mostly vibrant and engaging,” he says. “With musical creation, I am always looking for vital, passionate and exciting performances in all genres, whether it is a Mahler symphony or a Frank Sinatra song or a fantasy piece narrated for a third-grade audience.
“In addition to vitality and passion, I bring accessibility and warmth to my approach to music.”
Why he would be a good musical director for the symphony: Jackson says he values listening and is constantly looking to connect with others. She says she will approach the audience, musicians and symphony staff “with respect and like my dear partners with valuable impressions: comments that will inevitably make me better at what I do and lead to Fort Myers.”
Current and past jobs: She is in her thirteenth season as music director and conductor of the Reno Philharmonic in Reno, Nevada. Previously, she was the first female assistant director of the Atlanta Symphony (2004-2007).
Music education: He has a degree in music history from the University of New Hampshire, and a master’s and doctorate in orchestral conducting from the University of Michigan.
Being the first female conductor to conduct the Southwest Florida Symphony: “It’s a great honor!” she says. “I’m delighted to be the first.”
STEPHEN MULLIGAN
His concert: “Masterworks 3” on Feb. 18 at BIG ARTS in Sanibel Island and Feb. 19 at Mann Hall. The program includes Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man” and “Appalachian Spring,” Rodrigo’s “Concierto de Aranjuez,” and Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 7.”
Age: Mulligan did not give his age
Current house: Berlin, Germany
How to describe your leadership style: Mulligan did not comment on the issue in the written answers to the interview questions.
Why he would be a good musical director for the symphony: Mulligan did not comment on this topic.
Why he chose the pieces for his concert: “The orchestra asked me for something from Mozart or Beethoven,” says Mulligan. “And I felt that after a year without live music, it would be wonderful to play the happiest music we could think of!
“When I think of Beethoven in a cheerful mood, I think of the ‘Seventh Symphony.’ Copland’s “Appalachian Spring”, which depicts a wedding celebration on the prairie in the Midwest, and the “Concierto de Rodrigo” Aranjuez ‘- which evokes images of Spanish royal gardens.
“The three works share that cheerful, fresh feel, but they differ a lot in their sound!”
Current and past jobs: He works as a freelancer outside of Berlin, Germany, after starting his career in the United States. He has held positions with the Atlanta Symphony (associate conductor), the Los Angeles Philharmonic (Dudamel Conducting Fellow) and the Winston-Salem Symphony (assistant conductor).
Music education: A graduate of Yale University, where he studied violin and composition, and a postgraduate degree in conducting from The Peabody Institute.
RADU PAPONIU
His concert: “Masterworks 4” on April 23 at Mann Hall. The program includes Ravel’s “Mother Goose Suite”, Korngold’s “Violin Concerto” and Brahms’ “Symphony No. 4”.
Age: 32
Current house: Naples, Florida
How to describe your leadership style: “I like to think of directing as a very natural physical act of conveying music through gestures,” he says. “I think my initial training as a violinist has had a big impact on my conducting style. Just as a string player can extract different sounds from the instrument, the gestures of a conductor can also drastically influence the sound of the orchestra. “
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His concerts, he says, are about sharing the joy of music.
“After endless hours of score study and rehearsals, it’s a privilege for the musicians on stage to gather all their energies towards a common goal and share the result with the community,” he says.
Why he would be a good musical director for the symphony: “There are three things that motivate me as a leader every day,” he says. “The first thing is to connect and make music with all the musicians in the orchestra.
“The second is to share this music with a large audience. My goal is to make music accessible to everyone in the community.
“The third is the endless search to study and delve into the incredible richness of the symphonic repertoire. Being a leader is both a privilege and a responsibility in the service of this universal art form. “
Current job: He is associate director of the Naples Philharmonic and musical director of the Naples Youth Philharmonic Orchestra.
Music education: Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting from the New England Conservatory of Boston, Artist Diploma in Violin Performance from the Colburn Conservatory in Los Angeles, Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from the Colburn Conservatory in Los Angeles
