MCO selects a new music director
|
|
Paul Gambill is the new music director of the Montpelier Chamber Orchestra. |
Toolbox
By Jim Lowe Times Argus Staff - Published: November 2, 2009
After a year-and-a-half search, the Montpelier Chamber Orchestra has named a new music director. Paul Gambill, formerly of Nashville and now residing in Montpelier, will take the reins of the central Vermont community orchestra immediately, though the next concert won't be until March.
The MCO search committee made the decision after weekend concerts Oct. 24 and 25 led by Edward Markward of Rhode Island, the third and final candidate for the position. Gambill conducted a pair of concerts in November 2008, and Victor Rosenbaum, a Boston conductor and pianist, led another pair in March.
"We liked everyone and we thought that everyone came to the table with great credentials and a lot to offer the orchestra," explained Melissa Perley, the orchestra's general manager.
Perley, who said that the orchestra enjoyed all three, pointed out two major reasons for the choice.
"Paul has relocated his family from Nashville," she said. "His family is here now, so it's his community. So he has a vested interest in making an orchestra from this area the best it can be."
Gambill is also the youngest of the three, and his ideas for programming were out of the ordinary.
"Paul's ideas were fresh and innovative and different," Perley said. "Another thing that was appealing to us is his really basic knowledge of a working orchestra and the struggles we have to raise money."
In Nashville, Gambill founded Orchestra Nashville, a professional chamber orchestra made up of studio players. He was also conductor of the Nashville Ballet, a position that he will continue holding.
The Montpelier Chamber Orchestra Society, its formal name, is the second-oldest of central Vermont's three community orchestras. Founded 13 years ago by the late East Montpelier pediatrician, Dr. Tom Moore, an amateur cellist, its first music directors, Diane Huling and Lisa Jablow, held the position of music director only briefly.
Catherine Orr directed the orchestra for most of its life. When she stepped down in 2005 for health reasons, the position was advertised and more than 50 responded from around the world. After interviewing five finalists, and two were auditioned, Troy Peters was offered the position.
Peters had only conducted three programs as music director when he resigned last year, citing family reasons. Peters, longtime music director of the Vermont Youth Orchestra, has since left that position and moved to Texas.
"We haven't had a change of identity (since Orr left)," Perley said. "We haven't reestablished ourselves. Paul put it on the table for us to redefine ourselves in a really bold and new way."
42