Mei-Ann Chen, currently Assistant conductor of the Baltimore Symphony, has been named the new Music Director of the Memphis Symphony! Congratulations to Mei-Ann!
Here’s the press release from the Memphis Symphony:
Mei-Ann Chen Appointed Fourth Music Director of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra
Rising star begins tenure with the MSO in the 2010-2011 Season
Memphis, TN — The Memphis Orchestral Society announces the appointment of Mei-Ann Chen as the fourth music director of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. Selected by a twelve member search committee comprised of MSO musicians, board members and community leaders, Ms. Chen’s appointment was also unanimously approved by the orchestra’s Board of Directors.Regarded as a rising star among young conductors, Ms. Chen will begin a three-year contract with the MSO effective with the 2010-2011 season. During her inaugural season, Chen will conduct ten weeks of concerts as a part of all of the MSO series including the First Tennessee Masterworks Series, the Memphis Symphony Pops, and the Paul & Linnea Bert Chamber Series. She will conduct twelve weeks in each of the remaining two years of her initial contract.
Ms. Chen will come to Memphis on February 22, 2010 to celebrate her appointment with Memphis Symphony Orchestra family, community leaders, and members of the media. The afternoon event at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts will feature details regarding the orchestra’s outstanding 2010-2011 season as well as remarks from Ms. Chen herself. More details on this event are to be forthcoming.
Ms. Chen, currently Assistant Conductor and League of American Orchestras Conducting Fellow with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, was one of four candidates vying for the position left vacant when Maestro David Loebel announced his departure in 2008 after serving for 10 years.
“We could not be more elated to have such a renowned conductor join our great orchestra and community,” said Michael D. Uiberall, Chairman of the Memphis Symphony Board of Directors. “We look forward to her leadership and infectious enthusiasm toward music making.”
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead the Memphis Symphony Orchestra as its next music director,” comments Mei-Ann Chen. “I see my time in Memphis as a terrific opportunity to contribute to the cultural life of the orchestra and to the greater community. Together, the orchestra and I will introduce new ideas and exciting music that will inspire and engage all who come in contact with this wonderful orchestra.”“Mei-Ann Chen’s artistry, her relentless pursuit of excellence, and her understanding of how an orchestra needs to be truly relevant on and off the concert stage are all reasons she was the search committee’s selection,” states Ryan Fleur, President and CEO of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra.
“After two years in the search process and hearing four wonderful candidates conduct this season, we are very pleased and excited that Mei-Ann Chen will be joining us,” comments Paul Bert, head of the MSO Music Director Selection Committee. “Mei-Ann has a great passion for music and the role it can play on the concert stage, in community engagement programs, and especially in our education system. She sees music as a celebration of life and something that can bring people from all backgrounds and age groups together to share great music. We feel very fortunate that we are able to have Mei-Ann, a true rising star, lead our orchestra in the coming years.”“The musicians of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra are thrilled with the announcement of Mei-Ann Chen as our next music director,” said Susanna Perry Gilmore, concertmaster of the MSO. “We look forward to working with Mei-Ann as she brings an exciting combination of artistry, energy, leadership, and vision to Memphis which will help the orchestra grow on many levels.”
Memphis Symphony site [Link]