Press Release: Spartanburg Philharmonic announces Music Director Search
The Spartanburg Philharmonic today announced its search for the organization's 10th Music Director. In making the announcement, President of the Board Chip McLeod stated, “As an almost century-old organization located in one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States, the position of Music Director is one that holds special significance. We are seeking a talented conductor who has strong leadership and communication skills, is passionate about and has experience with music education and community engagement in addition to musical talent; in short, a 21st-century conductor for a modern orchestra with a deep history.”
The position will begin with the 2023-24 season. Assisted by industry expert Henry Fogel, the Search Committee will begin reviewing applications August 31, 2021. (Electronic applications only.) The deadline for applicants is August 30, 2021 by 4:00 PM EST.
Located in the upstate of South Carolina, Spartanburg Philharmonic’s home is its namesake, Spartanburg, a city of 37,000 with a countywide population of 320,000. With a $700,000+ annual budget, Spartanburg Philharmonic has two homes -the historic 1,489-seat Twichell Auditorium in Zimmerli Performance Center located on the Converse University campus, and the Chapman Cultural Center’s 476-seat Theater, the premier arts venue in the Greater Spartanburg area. The orchestra presents five Masterworks concerts in its long-standing and popular Zimmerli (classical) series, four-chamber concerts in its Espresso series, and a variety of renowned guest artists in its Bluegrass series each season. An arts organization whose mission is to enrich, inspire, and educate through live performances of high-quality music, Spartanburg Philharmonic partners with a variety of community, health, and education organizations to provide opportunities for all ages and abilities to enjoy. Amongst the programs are Music Sandwiched In, a free and open to the public lunch hour series; two youth orchestras, offering instrumental music education to students grades 6 through 12 in 16 different schools across three counties; and Carnegie Hall’s Weill Institute’s Link Up program, providing a music curriculum to 4th graders throughout Spartanburg County.
Almost a century old, the 65-member professional orchestra was founded in 1928, beginning as a volunteer ensemble and presenting organization. Spartanburg Philharmonic has its roots in the 1895 May Festival, the precursor of the South Atlantic States Music Festival founded in 1898, and one of only four such festivals featuring orchestras in the United States at that time. Recognized as a pillar of creativity, inspiration, and entertainment, the orchestra has a strong foundation in traditional and contemporary music. As a firm proponent of diversity and inclusion, the Philharmonic is dedicated to creating innovative and exhilarating experiences through memorable performances of well-known and rarely played works by female composers, composers of color, and both established and contemporary composers, for all members of the Spartanburg community and beyond.