Interim Director chosen for Santa Rosa Symphony Young People's Chamber Orchestra

George Thomson selected

News Release Contact:
Margie Harrison-Smith, Director of Education
707-546-7097 ext.219
mharrisonsmith@santarosasymphony.com

August 6, 2008

(SANTA ROSA, CA) – George Thomson, noted conductor, violinist and violist, has been hired as interim director of the Santa Rosa Symphony Young People’s Chamber Orchestra (YPCO). Thomson will serve as director in the 2008-2009 concert season in place of Linda Ghidossi-DeLuca who is on sabbatical. Audiences experienced George Thomson on the Santa Rosa Symphony stage in April of 2007 when he conducted the Early Romantics Festival Finale, Symphonie fantastique by Hector Berlioz.

Thomson was chosen from a field of eight highly-qualified candidates by a committee consisting of two YPCO musicians, two YPCO parents, two Symphony board members and three staff members. His many duties include: choosing music and directing rehearsals from September 2008 through May of 2009; providing the young people with training in all aspects of musical knowledge and techniques; and performance preparation. The goal is to coach, encourage and teach the group to be able to play in a conductorless chamber ensemble.

“I am delighted that we were able to find someone who has had so much experience working with youth to lead the YPCO this season,” said Margie Harrison-Smith, the Symphony’s Director of Education. “I know Mr. Thomson will bring a delightful energy to our program.”

Santa Rosa Symphony Executive Director Alan Silow was pleased with the choice. “George Thomson is a highly accomplished and well-respected music educator of young musicians in the Bay Area,” he said. “We are thoroughly delighted at our good fortune at having him join SRS as the interim director of our Young People’s Chamber Orchestra.”

George Thomson Brief Bio

George Thomson served as the Berkeley Symphony’s associate conductor and director of the Berkeley Symphony’s education program until 2007. Since 1999 he has directed the Virtuoso Program at San Domenico School in San Anselmo, and has been music director of the Marin Symphony Youth Orchestra since 2001. Formerly music director of the Prometheus Symphony, a community orchestra based in Oakland, he has also appeared as a guest conductor with the Marin Symphony, the San Francisco Conservatory of Music Orchestra, the Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra, and the New Century Chamber Orchestra. As a performer on Baroque and modern violin and viola, Thomson has enjoyed long associations with several Bay Area ensembles, including the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and the American Bach Soloists.

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