New Music Director Mario Alejandro Torres Joins BSO

Bainbridge Performing Arts is thrilled to announce the appointment of Mario Alejandro Torres as Music Director and Conductor for the Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra. "While not originally a finalist for the position, Mario guest conducted the BSO's February concert and wowed the musicians with his skill," said BPA Executive Director Dominique Cantwell. "We were incredibly fortunate to have a remarkable field of candidates, most of whom have local ties. That Mario rose to the top among such talented and collaborative company speaks volumes."

Mario Alejandro Torres is a conductor, teacher, and performer native to San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Currently based in Seattle, Washington, Mr. Torres made his Benaroya Hall conducting debut in collaboration with Maestros Ludovic Morlot and David Alexander Rahbee in an exciting concert with the University of Washington Symphony Orchestra. For the past two years, he has served in a conducting fellowship with the Seattle Symphony, assisting Maestro Morlot in collaboration with artists such as Hilary Hahn and John Luther Adams. As the Music Director of Poulsbo Community Orchestra, he has brought a new and exciting sound to the ensemble. Outside of the United States, he has conducted performances with the Eddy Snijders Orchestra in Paramaribo, Suriname, and in his hometown with the professional Chamber Orchestra of San Pedro Sula, and Victoriano Lopez School of Music Choir.

"Thrilled and grateful to be given this wonderful opportunity to serve as Music Director and Conductor of the Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra," Mr. Torres says, "this orchestra has my admiration for their professional spirit and their ability to bring excellence to their performances for the Bainbridge Island community. I am eager to share many musical moments with the BSO - as well as its beautiful and faithful audience. I look forward to supporting the organization's artistic goals, and expanding the BSO's engagement with the wonderful community of Bainbridge Island."

Ms. Cantwell enthuses, "I think audiences will be delighted by the depth that Mario's expertise will bring to performances, and I so look forward to introducing him to Islanders this fall!" Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra's 2018 - 2019 four-concert classical series features a star-studded cast of guest performers, masterworks, beloved favorites, original compositions, and special collaborations, with EMERGENCE on November 10 & 11, 2018, MUSES on February 16 & 17, 2019, REBELLION on April 13 & 14, 2019, and VOYAGES on June 8 & 9, 2019.

Bainbridge Performing Arts extends special thanks to Media Sponsors Classical KING FM 98.1 and KCTS9 - Public Television, Community Sponsor Carly's Rolling Bay Café, and "Youth in Music Initiative" Sponsor Wicklund Dental. BPA is supported, in part, by Bainbridge Community Foundation, the City of Bainbridge Island, and One Call for All. Find out more about BPA at www.bainbridgeperformingarts.org.

Photo Credit: Jenny Ramos