Listen:
On a recent Thursday in the TCC Music Hall, Tucson Symphony Orchestra concertmaster Lauren Roth cued musicians to tune instruments. It was a totally normal evening rehearsal for the symphony, in a season that is anything but ordinary.
After nearly two decades with conductor George Hanson on the podium, the symphony is hiring.
"The hiring of a musical director is one of the most important things that an orchestra can do," said CEO Mark Blakeman.
The search for Hanson’s successor is now in the final stage of what has been a three-year process. According to Blakeman, three years may seem like a long time, but is pretty typical for a number of reasons:
"Some of it is the long-time horizon in which orchestras plan their seasons and conductors are engaged," he said. "It can make it challenging – you see someone on the podium that you really like and you want to have them back and you can't for 18 months."
The symphony created a hiring committee several years ago when it was clear Hanson would not be returning after last season. That committee is composed of musicians, trustees, staff members and community members.
But the entire orchestra is being asked for their input, as are the symphony's patrons.
Blakeman said the committee identified "the ideal traits of the perfect candidate."
"First and foremost is that this person is a musical artist of the highest level, they want someone that is a good communicator from the podium," he said. "We also want this person to message well verbally and speak publicly and connect with our audience, our donors. I think someone with a youthful enthusiasm. That’s not necessarily about age but the energy that they bring to the job."
Victor Valenzuela, who has played horn in the symphony for 25 years, said there are few things that make a conductor really stand out to him.
"Sometimes it's technical, sometimes it's sound. Sometimes it’s the repertoire that they choose."
But, he said, there is one sign that the orchestra is really in sync with a conductor: their eyes.
"If you see a lot of eyes really locked into that conductor, you know it’s probably a good fit," said Valenzuela.
Valenzuela said he’s felt his eyes locked into several conductors throughout the search - which makes it an exciting time to be a musician with the Tucson Symphony.
"It’s like that date that you go on and you’re like, 'is this going to be the right one?' And only time will tell for us," he said.
In the meantime, just as the musicians have been sizing up each of the nine finalists, the finalists will also take some time to consider if the Tucson Symphony is the right fit for them.
"Every search at some point in the process goes from searching to recruiting," said CEO Blakeman. "It’s our job to educate and share with the candidates all of the great opportunities that exist in this community. It’s a very culturally rich community. Wonderful university, there’s a lot to talk about not to mention the weather that we have most of the time (I just experienced my first summer.)"
And he should not have to experience a second Tucson summer before the search process wraps up.
Blakeman said the next Tucson Symphony Orchestra musical director should be announced sometime next spring.
By submitting your comments, you hereby give AZPM the right to post your comments and potentially use them in any other form of media operated by this institution.