Grogan Named Finalist for Music Director of Reno Philharmonic
Greater New Orleans Youth Orchestra Summer Festival
NEW JERSEY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
ANNOUNCES NEW STAFF MUSICIANS
EDUCATION & COMMUNITY PROGRAMS CONDUCTOR
Jeffrey Grogan
Cover conductor
Arkady Leytush
(Newark, NJ, January 10, 2007) The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra’s Board of Trustees and Music Director Neeme Järvi proudly announce the appointment of two new conductors to its growing roster of world-renowned musicians: Jeffrey Grogan and Arkady Leytush. The Symphony had searched throughout the world to fill the important roles of education and community programs conductor as well as that of cover conductor, respectively. Says Järvi, "We are very pleased to add Grogan and Leytush as new conductors. They are exceptional musicians and have already made great contributions to the NJSO this season."
Jeffrey Grogan has been named education and community programs conductor for the symphony. He comes to the Garden State from his former post as director of orchestras and associate professor at the Ithaca College School of Music. In addition to leading Ithaca’s graduate orchestral conducting program, he took the orchestra to its Avery Fisher Hall debut in April of 2005 and led the ensemble in its most recent concert programs in the United Kingdom. Grogan has also performed at Carnegie Hall, Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas and the National Concert Hall in Dublin, Ireland.
“This post is very unique and, for me, a dream job,” he says. “It combines everything I am passionate about into one position: community, education and music. One of the other reasons I was attracted to the position, is the fact that the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra has a reputation for thinking outside the box—it believes in bringing music to many.”
Grogan’s dedication to young musicians is one of the most important aspects of his career, and he currently directs NJSO’s Greater Newark Youth Orchestra. During his last year’s season with Ithaca College Orchestras, Grogan worked with several colleagues to present the 2006 Gospel Music Festival. More than one hundred African-American students from New York, Washington, D.C. and Syracuse participated. Acclaimed gospel musician Glenn Burleigh commented, “I've never seen or heard anything like it. A spiritual tornado swept through the Ithaca College campus that flattened the notion that people of many races couldn't sing gospel music together.”
One of Russia’s most gifted conductors, Arkady Leytush has directed orchestras in Europe, South America and the United States to great acclaim. Critics have described him as “a conductor who always delivers a version in the best style of a composer” and his dynamic interpretations have made him an audience favorite. He has joined the NJSO team as a cover conductor, a ready substitute for the Music Director or any guest conductor in a season during all rehearsals and concerts. Leytush’s artistry is known throughout the former Soviet Union, but it was not until 1994 that he gained recognition in the United States when he made a stunning debut with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.
“I've known Maestro Järvi for a number of years,” Arkady says. “He once invited me to cover a program in Detroit and after that, on three days’ notice, he asked me to substitute for Jury Temirkanov, who suddenly fell ill. It is a great privilege to work with Maestro Järvi and learn from him, and to have an opportunity to work with such an orchestra as the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra.” On the unique and challenging role of cover conductor Arkady explains, “I always have to know all the programs that are in the season and always be ready. This is a great challenge for a conductor to be able to show what he is capable of.”
Neeme Järvi is in his second season as Music Director of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra. He also serves as Chief Conductor of The Hague Residentie Orchestra in the Netherlands. Maestro Järvi is Music Director Emeritus of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Principal Conductor Emeritus of the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra (National Orchestra of Sweden), Conductor Laureate of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, and First Principal Guest Conductor of the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra. Born in Tallinn, Estonia, Järvi is one of today’s busiest conductors, making frequent guest appearances with the major orchestras and opera houses throughout the world.
The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra is comprised some of the country’s finest musicians, led by Music Director Neeme Järvi, performing statewide on a regular basis throughout the year. Its mission is consistent with artistic excellence combined with community engagement and is realized through a uniquely designed concert series and education/outreach programming designed to enhance and enrich learning for children and adults alike. The orchestra tours to seven different venues throughout New Jersey. The AIG/New Jersey Symphony Broadcast Series is a syndicated program carried throughout North America by WFMT (Chicago) and 96.3FM WQXR (New York). For more information about the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, visit www.njsymphony.org or e-mail information@njsymphony.org. Tickets for performances can be purchased by calling 1.800.ALLEGRO (255.3476).
The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra’s programs are made possible in part by The New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, along with many other foundations, corporations and individual donors.
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