Venice, FL – June 1, 2018 – The Venice Symphony Board of Directors announces the appointment of Troy Quinn as the new Music Director/Conductor of The Venice Symphony. Quinn will be conducting six of the seven classical and pops concerts in the 2018-19 season, programmed by Leif Bjaland.
Troy Quinn is completing his three-year tenure as Music Director of the Juneau Symphony with his final concert on June 3, 2018. He will continue to serve as Music Director of the Owensboro Symphony in Kentucky. Quinn is also a member of the conducting faculty at the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music and resides in Los Angeles. Christine Kasten, Executive Director of The Venice Symphony, believes that Quinn is “the right person at the right time to lead The Venice Symphony into the future. He has artistic vision, a passion for music and a commitment to music education.”
The Venice Symphony Music Director Search Committee began the conductor search in 2015 under the leadership of Ed Campbell. The Committee, comprised of Board members, musicians and Kasten, narrowed the field of 164 applicants to seven finalists, each who conducted a concert in The Venice Symphony’s 2017-18 “Finding Maestro” season. The other finalists were Teresa Cheung, Silas N. Huff, Janna Hymes, Steven Jarvi, Stilian Kirov, and Wesley Schulz. Said Campbell, “The Search Committee thoroughly enjoyed the experience of becoming acquainted with the seven extremely talented and highly qualified conductors. I profoundly regret that in the end we were only allowed to select one.”
“The Venice Symphony was incredibly fortunate to have these extraordinary and accomplished conductors lead our season,” said Board President Robert Anderson. “The Board’s selection of Troy was based on input from the musicians and our audience, the Search Committee and Board members. We engaged every level of supporter of The Venice Symphony so they all own the success of this process and that’s pretty amazing.”
Troy Quinn conducted the final concert of the season, “A Tribute to Music in Cinema,” on May 4-5. “During my visit in May I felt an instant affection for Venice,” said Quinn. “The warmth of the organization combined with the thriving arts community left me spellbound. I am really looking forward to making music here for many years to come.”
Kevin Bellosa, Musicians’ Representative to the Board and a cellist with The Symphony, praised Quinn. “We all found him to be well prepared, calm in rehearsals but demanding in a good way and he generated a great deal of excitement amongst us all. We are all looking forward to a whole new era of music-making with The Venice Symphony.”
Quinn said he is looking forward to working with the education department and the new youth orchestra while developing education and outreach. “I’d like to see The Venice Symphony expand its reach. I think we have the potential to make these concerts the must-attend events in Sarasota County.”
