Musicians of the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra in Ohio.
In Thursday’s (12/19) Tribune Chronicle (Warren, Ohio), Andy Gray writes, “The holidays are a hectic time for many people. Conducting the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra’s Christmas pops concert on Saturday at Powers Auditorium won’t be hectic for guest conductor Edward Leonard, at least compared to his YSO debut in October. Leonard had about 48 hours’ notice before the first rehearsal when he was asked to step in for Sergey Bogza, who was supposed to make his debut as the orchestra’s new conductor and music director on Oct. 5…. Bogza resigned as conductor in early November because of ‘personal, health and family reasons,’ and Leonard was announced as his replacement for the Christmas concert at that time…. Both of Leonard’s parents were string players in the Charleston Symphony Orchestra. After earning his bachelor’s degree in piano performance at the College of Charleston, Leonard … earned his master’s degree in orchestral conducting at Carnegie Mellon University. He is the founder and music director of the Chamber Orchestra of Pittsburgh and served as music director of the Pittsburgh Philharmonic for eight seasons … Leonard hopes those who may be seeing the orchestra for the first time on Saturday will come back for one of the Masterworks concerts.”
