Chicago Sinfonietta unveils new music director
In 1987, Paul Freeman founded the Chicago Sinfonietta with a goal that has since become the orchestra's stated mission: "Musical Excellence through Diversity."
That phrase, since trademarked by the Sinfonietta, has been the hallmark of Freeman's career. One of the world's leading conductors, Freeman, an African American, has championed the growth of a minority presence in orchestras here and abroad.
Two years ago, Freeman announced that partly due to health reasons, he was stepping down after the 2010-11 season.
And this week, following a lengthy international search, his successor has been named: Taiwanese native Mei-Ann Chen will officially assume the music director position in the fall of 2011 to launch the Sinfonietta's 25th anniversary season.
Chen will return as a guest conductor in May and will program the 2011-12 season. She made her Chicago Sinfonietta debut in October 2009.
Freeman will remain music director emeritus following his retirement.
"I fully support the selection of Mei-Ann Chen to succeed me as the music director of the Chicago Sinfonietta," Freeman said. "She is an amazing talent and a real presence on the podium. I couldn't ask for a better person to continue our work."
Chen's selection "continues the Sinfonietta's 24-year commitment to global diversity and inclusion, and our aspiration to see the orchestra attain the highest levels of musical excellence," said the orchestra's executive director, Jim Hirsch, at Wednesday's announcement. "This is our commitment to continuing Paul Freeman's vision. Mei-Ann's personal commitment to the Sinfonietta's mission, combined with her stunning conducting talents, convinced all of us that she is the right person for the job."
Mei-Ann Chen, 37, this summer wrapped up a highly successful tenure as assistant conductor to Marin Alsop at the Baltimore Symphony. She has also accepted a three-year appointment as the music director of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra beginning in the 2010-2011 season.
Her guest conducting appearances include all of the principal Danish orchestras, Norwegian Radio Orchestra, Taiwan National Symphony, Rochester (N.Y.) Philharmonic and the symphonies of Alabama, Atlanta, Bournemouth (England), Fort Worth (Texas), National Symphony in Washington, Oregon Symphony in Portland, plus the orchestras of Seattle and Toronto.
"I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to embrace diversity and inclusion through musical excellence and to build upon Maestro Freeman's incredible legacy with the Chicago Sinfonietta," said Chen in a statement released Wednesday
Chen has lived in the United States since 1989. She holds master's degrees in both conducting and violin from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, and a doctorate in conducting from the University of Michigan. During her five-year tenure as music director of the Portland (Ore.) Youth Philharmonic, she led its sold-out debut in New York's Carnegie Hall, also receiving an ASCAP award for innovative programming.
The Chicago Sinfonietta enters its 24th season this fall, presenting subscription concerts at Symphony Center/Orchestra Hall and at Dominican University's Lund Auditorium in Lisle. It has also served as official orchestra of the Joffrey Ballet since 2003. In its regular concert series, the orchestra presents music from all periods, including new works by composers and soloists of color. A 2007 survey of major orchestras showed the Sinfonietta is the most diverse professional orchestra in the United States.
"It has been a joy and a pleasure to lead the Chicago Sinfonietta for over two decades, promoting the orchestra's mission of diversity, excellence and innovative programming in classical music," Freeman said. "We have all worked hard to bring this fine orchestra to the point where it is ready to embrace new artistic leadership and a new era. I have the utmost confidence that Maestra Chen will bring the excellence and talent necessary to continue the orchestra's evolution, and I look forward to working with her on a successful transition over the next year."
The orchestra's recordings for Chicago-based Cedille Records include the critically acclaimed African Heritage Symphonic Series, which offers music by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, William Grant Still, Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson and Adolphus Hailstork, among other composers. These recordings are available from cedille records.org. For additional information on the Chicago Sinfonietta's 2010-11 season, visit chicagosinfonietta.org.