|
Newport Symphony Announces Hiring of New Conductor |
|
|
|
News -
Conducting News
|
|
Written by Aron Balog
|
|
Tuesday, 01 May 2007 |
|
 After a two-year national search, which included a season of candidate conductors auditioning with the orchestra, the Newport Symphony Orchestra has hired a new artistic director and conductor. Maestro Adam Flatt of Denver, Colo., will assume the directorship as of May 1.
Flatt's appointment in Newport is a homecoming of sorts, as he served as a conducting apprentice for two years with the Oregon Symphony. He recently completed a five-year stint as associate conductor of the Colorado Symphony in Denver, where his combination of assured podium presence, musical integrity, and engaging style led the Denver Rocky Mountain News to observe, "[Flatt] shows an obvious love of the music and a confidence on the podium that bodes well for his future." His ability to connect with diverse audiences was exercised regularly at the CSO, where he conducted on the entire range of Colorado Symphony series including classical subscription concerts, the Pops and family series, community outreach programs, and special gala events such as the annual New Year's Eve celebration.
Flatt also serves as the music director of the Denver Young Artists Orchestra, described by the Denver Post as "one of the best trained and most exciting such ensembles in the country." In the fall of 2006 he assumed new duties as musical advisor to the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra and principal conductor of Emerald City Opera, a summer festival in Steamboat Springs, Colo. Recent guest conducting appearances include the Dallas, Houston, and Delaware Symphonies, Sacramento Philharmonic, and Santa Rosa Symphony. Past engagements include the Alabama Symphony and the Oregon Ballet Theatre. He has been broadcast on the National Public Radio program "Performance Today," and Colorado Public Radio's "Colorado Spotlight." A native of Sacramento, Calif. Flatt received his bachelor's degree from the University of California at Berkeley and his master's degree in conducting from the Indiana University School of Music.
"The symphony is so excited to bring our exhaustive search to a close by welcoming Adam to Newport," said Symphony President Tom Hurst. "Although all of our finalist candidates were excellent, Adam really stood out as a talented conductor and a visionary leader for the organization. He will bring new energy to the symphony's musical endeavors and new ideas for education and outreach programs. Adam is a perfect fit for our community."
Because of his pre-existing commitments in Colorado, Flatt will continue to live in the Denver area and travel to Newport for rehearsals, performances, and other symphony business.
The symphony has been conducting the artistic director search for two years. More than 80 candidates from across the U.S. and abroad applied for the position. Four finalists each conducted one NSO concert this season. Flatt conducted in December 2006, leading the orchestra in a program of Hayden, Respighi, Saint-Saëns, and Brahms.
Flatt's debut with the symphony will be at the opening concert of the 2007-08 season on Saturday, Sept. 29. The program will be repeated in a matinee performance the following day, Sept. 30. Season subscription reservations for the 2007-08 Newport Symphony season can be made by calling 265-ARTS.
The Newport Symphony Orchestra is supported by the City of Newport, Coast Arts, and various foundations, businesses and individual donors. The Artistic Director/Conductor search was supported in part through a grant from the Kinsman Foundation. |
