New Memphis Symphony director to wave two batons
Go Memphis
By Jon W. Sparks
August 4, 2010
Original Link
The Memphis Symphony Orchestra’s new music director Mei-Ann Chen has picked up an additional job as music director for the Chicago Sinfonietta.
While Chen has yet to take the podium as Memphis Symphony’s conductor — her first concert will be Sept. 10 — and her duties with the Sinfonietta won’t begin until next year, orchestra officials are pleased with the arrangement.
Ryan Fleur, Memphis Symphony president and CEO, said, “This is the perfect position with the perfect type of orchestra and a perfect complementary commitment.”
One of the missions of the Memphis Symphony is to improve its connections throughout the community. The Chicago Sinfonietta is an exemplar of doing that, billing itself as “the nation’s most diverse symphony orchestra.”
Founded in 1987 by Paul Freeman, whose retirement as maestro made the position available, the orchestra has aggressively reached out to the African American community and mixed various styles and art forms in its presentations.
“We intend to do a lot of listening and learning plus have an artistic partnership,” Fleur said, noting that sharing Chen will allow sharing of projects and productions.
Chen’s commitments to Memphis and the Memphis Symphony will not change. “Her contract in Chicago makes clear that Memphis remains her music directing priority,” Fleur said. The Chicago assignment will only impact her availability for guest conducting elsewhere.
Chen was surprised at the selection, considering the experience of the other candidates. But she said that when she and the Sinfonietta first rehearsed, there was, “an immediate great chemistry. It was pretty much love at first sight.”
She is eager to make the most of the Chicago-Memphis connection. “This is an opportunity for me to help change the face of our orchestra and reflect the community we serve,” Chen said, “to cultivate young talent, especially minorities in the music field.”
“I’m a team builder,” Chen said. “It’s wonderful to do that in Memphis and now with another orchestra, I hope the two organizations will become models for innovation and initiative. We can generate excitement.”
event key