In Saturday’s (10/11) News Tribune (Tacoma, Washington), Rosemary Ponnekanti profiles Sarah Ioannides, in her first season as music director of the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra. As a teenager, Ioannides was “fascinated by psychology and what makes people tick. The combination led her to a successful conducting career—and to becoming the kind of musical director who’s as much about exploring new ideas as collaboration and community.… She’s keeping the orchestra’s classical core, out of a deep-rooted love for symphonic masterworks. Beyond that, she’s introducing contemporary works and early 20th century pieces new to Tacoma audiences…. Other changes include a new interactive youth education program and collaboration with the Tacoma City Ballet for two major productions. There also are hints at possible new venues from the Foss Waterway Seaport to Puyallup’s Karshner Museum.” Ioannides—who also serves as music director of the Spartanburg Philharmonic in South Carolina—leads the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra’s season-opening concert on October 25 with a world premiere by Australian composer Sean O’Boyle, featuring percussionist Evelyn Glennie. A related article in the same edition of the News Tribune notes that the Tacoma Symphony is “in the forefront with its first female conductor,” citing recent data from the League of American Orchestras about the percentages of female conductors and musicians in U.S. orchestras.
Posted October 16, 2014
