BPA & BSO Announce Music Director Finalists

BSO Music Director Wesley Schulz's December 31st departure portends a springtime evolution for the Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra. Following an extensive search and rigorous competition for the position relinquished by Wes, BPA and BSO are pleased to announce two impressive Finalists for the role of BSO Music Director, and audience members can help usher in our final selection by attending our spring concerts: Tigran Arakelyan will lead the BSO in Superheroes and Villains! on April 14 and 15, and Bobby Collins will lead the BSO in Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 4 on June 1 and 3. Guest Conductor Mario Alejandro Torres will step in to conduct the remaining concert of the season, Franck Symphony in D minor on February 17 and 18.

Tigran Arakelyan is the Music Director of Bainbridge Island Youth Orchestras, the Federal Way Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Artistic Director /Conductor of Port Townsend Community Orchestra. Arakelyan held conducting positions with California Philharmonic, Los Angeles Youth Orchestra, Whatcom Symphony Orchestra, Rainier Symphony, Northridge Youth Philharmonic and the University of Washington. He received a Doctorate in Musical Arts in conducting from the University of Washington studying with Ludovic Morlot and David Alexander Rahbee. Excited to be a finalist with the Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra, Arakelyan says, "[The April] collaboration is especially special because it is with the BSO and the talented young musicians of BIYO. In the 21st century two of the most important institutions for the future of orchestral music in the U.S. are youth orchestras and community orchestras. They educate and inspire communities all over the country. I look forward to working with the BSO musicians and sharing the music with the supportive community."

Bobby Collins currently serves as Music Director and Co-Founder of The Sound Ensemble and Conducting Assistant to Music Director Sarah Ioannides at Symphony Tacoma. Recent awards include the Legh Burns Conducting Fellowship for the Pacific Northwest Conducting Institute as well as being named one of the 2017-18 Conducting Fellows for Allentown Symphony Orchestra. He is uniquely gifted at crafting engrossing concerts to enrich and entertain diverse audiences.

Bobby is "deeply honored" to be a finalist for the Music Directorship of Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra, and as a former member of the orchestra, he says, "I have experienced firsthand the unique community that surrounds the orchestra and fills the island. This is a treasure that I hope to honor, nurture, and enrich as Music Director. The BSO has established itself as a central part of the island's cultural identity and I hope to deepen the impact of its work by continuing to provide magnificent concerts while expanding our outreach so that nobody misses the opportunity to experience the joy of music."

BPA Executive Director Dominique Cantwell says, "It's exciting to approach a new chapter in the BSO's rich legacy here from a position of such strength. Both of our candidates bring thoughtful and unique qualities to their work that I think will continue to help the orchestra grow within our community. I can't wait to see what they have in store for us!"

Based in Seattle, the BSO's February Guest Conductor Mario Alejandro Torres is bringing a new and exciting sound to the Poulsbo Community Orchestra, where he has been recently appointed music and artistic director. On February of 2017 he did a conducting fellowship with the Seattle Symphony, assisting Maestro Ludovic Morlot in an exciting concert where Hilary Hahn performed the impassioned Bruch's first violin concerto. At University of Washington, his energy and passion to work with young musicians have set UW Campus Philharmonia Orchestras to higher artistic performances.

Music has always been at the heart of the BPA mission, and the organization's commitment stands undiminished to this day. It has the backing of a well-organized Board and a thriving institution. It takes a lively community of volunteer musicians and listeners to make such a commitment sustainable, and BPA thanks the BSO musicians and audience members for their part in keeping the classical music program lively and growing. Previously-announced programming will remain in place for the BSO's enticing 2017 - 2018 Season, and you're invited to help celebrate the orchestra's thriving contribution to the arts on Bainbridge Island. Read more about the BSO's new faces online at goo.gl/r5KJ67.

BPA is a 501 (c)(3) organization and non-equity performance center whose team of theatre professionals works with volunteer orchestra and cast members from Bainbridge, Kitsap, Seattle, and beyond to produce professional-quality, vigorously-supported, and enthusiastically-attended shows in our 245-seat facility. We produce four BSO concerts each season, plus six Mainstage shows a year, including a summer Shakespeare production at nearby Bloedel Reserve. BPA also houses The EDGE Improv and BPA Theatre School for children, teenagers, and adults.

Bainbridge Performing Arts extends special thanks to BSO Media Sponsor Classical KING FM 98.1, Community Sponsor Carly's Rolling Bay Café, and "Youth in Music Initiative" Sponsor Wicklund Dental. BPA is supported, in part, by Bainbridge Community Foundation and One Call for All. Bainbridge Performing Arts is pleased to offer an "Open Doors" program. Free and reduced-cost tickets to most events are available to community members in need through our partner Helpline House thanks to grants from BCF, the Mabee Family Foundation, and the Alder Fund at the Bainbridge Community Foundation.

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