OSO Board Chairman Walt Wyler came to the podium at the beginning of this morning’s rehearsal to announce the news that music director Carlos Kalmar has been offered, and has accepted, a four-year contract extension that will bring his tenure through the 2012-2013 season.
It’s good news for the orchestra because it will ensure artistic stability, and in the words of Walt Wyler, will enable Calmar and our new president, Elaine Calder, to bring their collaboration to full fruition over the next four years.
The other factor in this extension is that is also gives the orchestra time to deepen connections with past or future guest conductors who might be considered to succeed Kalmar in the future.
Given the dearth of high quality conductors in this country, it pays to have time to do proper research and build relationships, so that when Carlos moves on up the ladder to a bigger orchestra, we’ll have several candidates in hand and who are familiar both to the organization and audiences, that might either step in in an advisory capacity or be hired as a music director designate.
It’s very good news for the OSO – we’re lucky to have Carlos, and with all of the financial instability that we face over the next few years, having a steady hand at the artistic reins will be vital.