ASO Announces Progress in Music Director Search
Posted Jan 27, 2017 | ASO News, Press Releases,
Alexandria, VA—The Alexandria Symphony Orchestra (ASO) announces significant progress has been made in the selection of its new ASO Music Director and Conductor.
The Music Director Search Committee members have been working diligently since the initial August 1, 2016 application deadline to review, in depth, the complete applications and videos from each of the 170 candidates from around the world who applied. Formed in the spring of 2016, the inclusive Search Committee consists of Alexandria citizens, ASO musicians, and members of the orchestra’s Board of Trustees.
“This number of candidates is an extraordinary compliment to the professional reputation of the Alexandria Symphony, as well as to the cultural and educational attraction of the Alexandria community,” said Ronal Butler, President of the ASO Board of Trustees.
The Music Director Search process is following the suggested guidelines established by the League of American Orchestras. These include a four-phase evaluation process, extensive due diligence on the top candidates, and one-on-one interviews with the finalists. Musicianship, community engagement, and “the right fit for Alexandria” are the key evaluation criteria established by the Search Committee.
In January, the Search Committee conducted a series of both Skype and one-on-one candidate interviews in Alexandria with the selected semi-finalists. The Committee expects to select the finalists and announce them in March 2017. The ASO’s 2017-2018 Season will feature performances conducted by the final candidates; the ASO will engage its audience, musicians and Alexandria community through special events and targeted surveys to further evaluate those finalists. By the spring of 2018, following the 2017-2018 performances and evaluations, the ASO will announce the new Music Director, who will lead the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra in its 2018-2019 75th Anniversary year and associated celebrations.
