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Local orchestra seeks: Dynamic person familiar with classical, pop, jazz and other genres to conduct and direct symphony orchestra on beautiful island. Must be exciting, enthusiastic, talented, creative and energetic. Must work effectively with others, particularly community groups, young people, local schools, and orchestra musicians and soloists. Must have strong fundraising capabilities and a clear understanding of financial matters.
Whew. Sounds like a tough position to fill, no?
Fortunately for the community and the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, Hilton Head Island is not only a place where the arts thrive, it’s also a desirable place to live and work. It’s so desirable that the HHSO received 195 applications for the position.
“(Applicants are) from a wide variety of places, including Europe, Taiwan, Latin America and Australia,” said Mary Briggs, HHSO executive director. “We’ve also had many applicants from the U.S., including the New York and Boston areas. The applicants range from young conductors to well-established musical directors.”
The HHSO declined to renew current music director Mary Woodmansee Green’s contract, which expires in June 2011. Woodmansee Green will continue in her position until that time. While there has been some community opposition to the decision to not renew her contract, Briggs said she believes a new director will re-energize the musicians and the community.
“Some folks are upset about the thought of change, but we have some very exciting applicants and I think our audience will be very pleased,” she said.
The search, which was announced on Oct. 21, 2010, is a long and intense process. The eightperson search committee will narrow the field to the top 20-30 candidates in early February. By March 30, the field will be narrowed to six candidates who will each conduct the orchestra in one of its symphonic concerts during the 2011-2012 season.
“We want to get audience input from those performances,” said Briggs. “We also want to see how the (candidates) interface with the different segments of the community. And we’ll also ask for input from the musicians. We really want a conductor who interacts effectively with soloists and the orchestra’s musicians, one who energizes them and creates excitement.”
In addition to conducting the orchestra, the music director has many other responsibilities. “This behind-the-scenes role is really not so visible to the public,” said Briggs. “It’s the ability to build a series of concerts and collect all the music for each concert in such a manner that there will be a nice blend throughout the year.”
Briggs added that the orchestra also wants a music director who can attract a wide audience. “Right now, we attract people who are 60 and above, but we haven’t been very effective in attracting a younger audience,” she said. “That doesn’t mean we won’t play the tried and true. We just have to offer a wider variety of music.”
Briggs said the HHSO will present the core series of masters, but also wants to create a light, popular classic series aimed at those in the 40-60 age group. “We’re looking at jazz, but also pop. Maybe we’ll do some Beatles, ABBA, Disney … pure pop entertainment.”
At the end of the 2011-2012 season, the search committee will review the finalists and make a recommendation to the HHSO Board of Directors. The final choice will be announced in March 2012, and the new director will begin in July 2012.
ON DECK AT THE HHSO
Russian Rhapsody: The orchestra will open the new year on Jan. 16-17 with an all-Russian program. Lukáš Vondrácek, 2010 Hilton Head International Piano Competition winner, will join the orchestra, playing Rachmaninoff’s Third Piano Concerto.
A Night in Old Vienna: HHSO Youth Concerto Competition winner Austin Williams will join the orchestra on Jan. 31 in Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto.
Concerto Competition: On Feb. 5, the HHSO Youth Concerto Competition finds talented young instrumentalists throughout the Southeast competing for a chance to perform a solo work with the HHSO.
League Fashion Show: The League of the Hilton Head Symphony will present a Fashion Show and Silent Auction on Feb. 23 to benefit the Youth Orchestra.
For ticket information, times and event locations, go to www.hhso.org or call 843-842-2055.
FOLLOW THE SEARCH ONLINE
Updates on the search for a music director will be regularly posted throughout the process at www.hhso.org. For more on the Hilton Head International Young Artists Piano Competition, go to www.hhipc.org.
