After a search that has been going on for about a year and a half, the Board of Directors of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra has announced it has hired a new music director.
He is Ward Stare, a 31 year old Pittsford native whose recent work included conducting with the Lyric Opera of Chicago. He also served as resident conductor of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra from 2008 to 2012.
Stare began studying trombone at the age of 9 and was accepted into the Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra ag the age of 11. He graduated early from Pittsford Mendon High School to study trombone at the Juilliard School.
When he was 18, he was appointed principal trombonist at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
Stare will open the RPO’s 2014-15 season with a special concert at the Eastman Theatre’s Kodak Hall featuring guest soloist Midori.
His current season includes debuts with orchestras around the world including performances with the Baltimore Symphony, Sydney Symphony, and the Pittsburgh Symphony. He returns to the Lyric Opera of Chicago in November to lead performances of Porgy and Bess.
Stare will replace Arild Remmereit, whose contract was terminated by the board in December of 2012.
Stay tuned to WXXI and wxxinews.org throughout the day for more details.
