There's a new hand on the baton at the Prince George Symphony Orchestra.
Michael Hall has been appointed to the dual position of conductor and musical director after a year-long audition process.
Hall and the others shortlisted for the position each came to the city as a guest conductor of a PGSO performance, as well as underwent an interview and written portion of the exhaustive selection system. He was the last of the candidates and ended up being the first on their list.
"Michael was by far the best fit," said PGSO board chair John DeGrace, when accounting for the feedback provided by the musicians of the orchestra, the interview committee and also the public.
Hall is currently in his third season as Music Director of the Kennett Symphony in Pennsylvania. Prior to that, he was the music director of the Southwest Florida Symphony from 2007 to 2012.
"I couldn't be more pleased to begin my tenure here," he said Wednesday, likening the audition process to a blind date that ended up sparking exciting chemistry for all those involved. "Every encounter I had was really so positive."
DeGrace said Hall's skills included "inspired performances, imaginative programming, and passion for developing new audiences," based on his American track record.
"His drive for artistic excellence, innovative thematic programming, and collaborations with celebrated guest artists resulted in unprecedented artistic growth, audience praise and enthusiastic reviews."
That is the kind of outreach the PGSO has struggled with over the years, but always that struggle has led to another year and another. The PGSO has survived where many other small-market orchestras have failed across Canada in the past few decades.
Hall said he was just as excited about the audience growth potential here as for the music he and the orchestra will strive to make. The long history of the orchestra, especially when considering the state of orchestras and not-for-profit organizations in general, was one of the reasons he was drawn to the position.
"Every orchestra has its own successes and sets of challenges," said Hall.
"It sounds trite but you really are hired to make good music and the audience responds to that."
Hall is also happy to be back on the north side of the Canadian/American line where he was born and raised. The Toronto expatriate said something as simple as Tim Hortons makes coming home so satisfying. "There is a different feeling as soon as you cross the border," he said.
He's not afraid of the winters, either. He has been a resident of Winnipeg so he knows he can handle this climate.
His wife, Jennifer French, is also pleased to be taking up residence in Prince George where she will join the horn player ranks. She also brings music librarian skills to the PGSO table, making them a positive one-two punch.
The position for Hall commences
Aug. 1, officially, but he is already involved in orientation and working with key PGSO leaders to set up the coming season for success. The music must be chosen, then plans made to gather the necessary musicians for each concert's musical demands. Rehearsal and performance schedules must be made and provisions made for guest soloists.
His first conducting action will be the Pops In The Park event coming in September.
There's no need to wait that long for the next PGSO action. The orchestra performs Saturday at the P.G. Playhouse with guest conductor Susan Klein and guest soloist Sara Davis Buechner at the piano. She will perform Gershwin's beloved Rhapsody in Blue while the orchestra lays out a night of Jazz In Paris.
