Members of the J-D High School Orchestra recently took part in an incredible opportunity thanks to former Superintendent Dr. Alice Kendrick. She serves on the Syracuse Orchestra board and asked students to participate in the hiring process of the local symphony’s next Music Director.
J-D High School Orchestra Director Dan Blumenthal and Dr. Kendrick were excited to welcome and introduce Music Director candidate Austin Chanu to students on Friday, Sept. 26. Chanu is an internationally recognized conductor, who most recently has served as the Assistant Conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra. He spent an hour and a half with the J-DHS Orchestra, conducting the students and answering interview questions.
Following the session, students were able to provide feedback about Chanu to the Syracuse Orchestra Board. Their input will be considered during the final candidate review process and hiring decision.
“This was a great opportunity for our students for a number of reasons. It really made us hit the ground running at the beginning of the year. We had six rehearsals to get a piece performance-ready in preparation for Mr. Chanu’s visit,” shared Blumenthal. “His work with us really focused on going beyond the page to bring out the intricacies and phrasing that will help make our November concert performance something special. In speaking with him after the rehearsal, he was very impressed with our students’ willingness to try whatever he threw at them.”
There are six finalists for the position. The community can also have a voice in the selection. Each candidate will conduct one Masterworks Series concert and one Casual Series concert. The audience will be surveyed after each performance. More details about each candidate are available on the Syracuse Orchestra website.