Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Pasadena Star-News: James DePreist “will conduct the symphony in 'Sonic Sensations' on opening night, Oct. 23”


[Fanfare Magazine; November-December 1995; Conductor James DePreist]

Pasadena Star-News
Pasadena Symphony announces its guest conductor roster for 2010-2011 season
By Janette Williams, Staff Writer
Posted 07/11/2010
“PASADENA - A lineup of five guest conductors for the Pasadena Symphony's 2010-2011 season has been announced, to replace long-time artistic director Jorge Mester at the podium. Mester's contract was terminated in May after 25 years, reportedly when negotiations over a salary cut fell apart; Mester has never commented on the reasons for his sudden departure from the financially strapped orchestra, which he announced at the season's final concert.

“Paul Jan Zdunek, chief executive officer of the Pasadena Symphony and POPS orchestras, said the symphony repertoire had already been set and will not be changed. 'We've been working with (new artistic advisor) James DePreist for the last few weeks and came up with a list of conductors,' Zdunek said Friday.”

“DePreist - a veteran conductor and director of conducting and orchestral studies at the Julliard School in New York City - will conduct the symphony in 'Sonic Sensations' on opening night, Oct. 23, at its new Ambassador Auditorium venue.” “The symphony will continue to use guest conductors 'at this time,' Zdunek said, and they are already working with DePreist on the 2011-2012 lineup. DePreist, who was hired as an independent contractor in early June, is scheduled to arrive in Pasadena on Aug. 27 to meet the orchestra and symphony 'constituents,' Zdunek said.” [Maestro James DePreist (b. 1936) is profiled at AfriClassical.com]

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