Colorado Springs Philharmonic: musicdirectors

CELEBRATING LAWRENCE LEIGHTON SMITH

This season we bid farewell to a great man. After ten years on the podium, Lawrence Leighton Smith has announced that he will conclude his tenure as Music Director. Under his watchful eye, the Colorado Springs Philharmonic has made giant artistic leaps forward, becoming an ensemble of distinction and excellence. The patrons and musicians of the Philharmonic offer their thanks, and wish Larry a fond farewell.

SEARCHING FOR A SUCCESSOR

When Lawrence Leighton Smith announced his planned departure, the Philharmonic musicians and board rallied together to form a 14-member search team composed of musicians, board members, and community volunteers, chaired by Judy Fair-Spaulding. Working behind closed doors, the team considered more than 250 applicants from across the globe. After six months of exhaustive research, interviews, and consideration, the search team is proud to offer five finalists to appear with the Philharmonic in the 2010-11 season.

Following each finalist's performance, audience members and musicians will be invited to give their feedback. All input will be taken into account before selecting a new Music Director.

Leif Bjaland

Leif Bjaland's ascendant career began with the Yale Symphony Orchestra in 1983. He has held conducting posts with the San Francisco Symphony and the New World Symphony, and is currently Music Director of the Sarasota Orchestra and Waterbury Symphony Orchestra. He has appeared with such orchestras as the National Symphony, Chicago Symphony, Detroit Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Rochester Philharmonic.

SHIZUO KUWAHARA

First prize winner of the Georg Solti International Competition, Mr. Kuwahara has served in conducting posts with the Virginia Symphony and the Philadelphia Orchestra, and was recently named Music Director of Symphony Orchestra Augusta (GA). A native of Japan, "Z" is a Yale graduate and a sought-after guest conductor of orchestras throughout the US, Europe, and Asia.

VISWA SUBBARAMAN

A Fulbright Grant recipient and protege of maestro Kurt Masur, Mr. Subbaraman holds advanced degrees in orchestral conducting, biology, and business. Today, he balances a hectic trans-Atlantic conducting schedule with his obligations as Founder and Artistic Director of Houston's only contemporary opera company, Opera Vista.

WARD STARE

Appointed principal trombonist of the Lyric Opera of Chicago at age 18, Ward Stare has emerged as one of America's most promising young conductors. Mr. Stare is an alumnus of the American Academy of Conducting at Aspen and the League of American Orchestra's Fellowship Program. Mr. Stare is currently Resident Conductor of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and Music Director of the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra.

KYNAN JOHNS

Serving alongside famed maestros Lorin Maazel and Zubin Mehta at Spain's new "Queen Sofia Palace of the Arts," this Australian-born conductor has worked with some of the great orchestras of the world, including La Scala, Moscow Philharmonic, Israel Philharmonic, Sydney Symphony, Beijing Symphony, and Rotterdam Philharmonic. Mr. Johns is also Director of Orchestras for Rutgers University.