Conductor candidate makes a stop in Genoa

by Sharlene Irete

People Editor

One of five finalists for the position of Reno Philharmonic conductor and music director, Rebecca Miller, was invited for coffee in Genoa on Thursday to get to meet members of the Sierra Philharmonic League. Miller will be guest conductor of the Reno Philharmonic on Sunday and Tuesday.

"The search for a new conductor for the Reno Philharmonic started last year with 200 candidates and now we're down to five candidates," said Jane Johnson who is a member of the conductor selection committee.

"A guest conductor will be featured each month. None of the candidates are from here," Johnson said. "People who go to the concerts will be able to vote for a conductor online. This year's concert season is concerts with the five guest conductors and a concert in March 2009 where the winner is announced."

Miller is the second candidate to conduct the Reno Philharmonic. She was born in California and currently is the resident conductor of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra.

The first candidate was Jeffrey Grogan who conducted the Reno Philharmonic in September. Following Miller this weekend is Christopher Confessore who conducts on Nov. 16 and 18, Sarah Hatsuko Hicks on 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.

Miller will conduct the Reno Philharmonic at 4 p.m. Sunday and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts in Reno. Each guest conductor will bring a guest soloist. Miller's choice is Maia Cabeza, a 15-year-old violinist who attends the Davidson Institute for Talent Development on the campus of the University of Nevada, Reno.

On the program is "Chamber Symphony" by Pierre Jalbert, "Eroica" by Beethoven and a concerto for violin by Alexander Glazunov featuring Cabeza.

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