Philharmonic league conducts coffee

Staff Reports

The Sierra Philharmonic League hosts a coffee meeting with Christopher Confessore, one of five candidates for the position of Reno Philharmonic Orchestra director, 10 a.m. Thursday, at the home of Bob and Jane Gaw, 3499 Mont Blanc Court, Jacks Valley. All are welcome. Refreshments will be served. Information, 782-8608.

Confessore will conduct the Reno Philharmonic Nov. 16 and 18 at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts in Reno.

This year's Reno Philharmonic concert season features each of five guest conductors plus a concert in March 2009 where the winner is announced. The search for a new Reno Philharmonic conductor began last year with 200 candidates with the five remaining finalists featured as guest conductors. Those attending the concerts will be able to vote for a conductor online.

Confessore has been music director and principal conductor of the Brevard Symphony Orchestra in Melbourne, Fla., for 13 years and resident conductor of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra for four seasons.

The first candidate was Jeffrey Grogan who conducted the Reno Philharmonic in September, followed by Rebecca Miller in October. Sarah Hatsuko Hicks conducts Jan. 11 and 13 and Laura Jackson on Feb. 8 and 10. The new musical director will be announced at the "Last Conductor Standing" concert March 29.

Each guest conductor will bring a guest soloist. Confessore's choice is celloist Julie Albers. On the program is "An Italian Straw Hat" by Michael Torke, Edward Elgar's "Enigma" variations and a concerto for violin and cello by Saint-Saëns featuring Albers.

Ticket holders are eligible to vote for their favorite guest conductors online. Biographies and ticket information are available through the Pioneer Center, renophil.com.