The Illinois Symphony Orchestra is nearing the end of its search for a new conductor to replace long-time maestra Karen Lynne Deal, who led the orchestra for more than a decade. Five finalists from around the country have been chosen as possibilities to replace Deal, and each will get a chance to guest conduct the orchestra during its upcoming 2011-2012 season. The finalists are Donato Cabrera, resident conductor of the San Francisco Symphony and music director of the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra; Rei Hotoda, assistant conductor of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra; Kenneth Raskin, associate conductor of the Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra and former assistant conductor of the North Carolina Symphony; Andrew Sewell, music director of the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra and former music director of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra; and Alastair Willis, former associate conductor of the Seattle Symphony and a guest conductor with major orchestras including the Chicago Symphony, St. Louis Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra and New York Philharmonic. The ISO will likely appoint its chosen conductor in the spring of 2012, but no matter who gets the job, the upcoming season will be a chance to hear a world-class orchestra under the direction of world class conductors. For more information on the finalists, visit their websites.
Donato Cabrera: www.donatocabrera.com
Rei Hotoda: www.reihotoda.com
Kenneth Raskin: www.kennethraskin.com
Andrew Sewell: www.dianesaldick.com/acondu/asew/asew.htm
Alastair Willis: www.alastairwillis.com
This article appears in Mar 3-9, 2011.
