Ransom Wilson Leads the Redlands Symphony

Audiences will have their chance to meet the first of three candidates to succeed Jon Robertson as Conductor of the Redlands Symphony when Ransom Wilson takes the podium on Saturday, Nov. 14, to lead the orchestra in Stravinsky’s The Firebird and Leonard Bernstein’s Fancy Free. The concert begins at 8 p.m., with a pre-concert lecture by Wilson at 7:15pm. “We are thrilled to welcome Maestro Wilson for this performance with the Redlands Symphony,” said Paul Ideker, the orchestra’s President and CEO. “We have been working on our search for a new Music Director and Conductor for more than 18 months and are happy to introduce our audience to the first of three finalists who will be performing with us this season. It’s an exciting time for the orchestra, and we are proud that our reputation has drawn the interest and level of artistry represented by Ransom Wilson and the other two candidates.” Ransom Wilson currently serves as Artist Director of Le Train Bleu Ensemble, Music Director of Solisti New York, and as a conductor at the Metropolitan Opera. In addition to being an esteemed concert and operatic conductor, Wilson is a renowned flutist who has appeared as soloist with dozens of orchestras, including the Chicago Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, and London Symphony. He is the recipient of numerous honors, including the New York Times Foundation’s Alabama Prize, a National Public Radio award, and the Austrian government’s Gold Award of Merit. He has also earned three Grammy Award nominations for his recording work on the Angel/EMI, RCA, Orion, and Musical Heritage Society labels. Audience members will have an opportunity to share their opinion about each conductor candidate following the performance. Patrons and the general public will also have the chance to meet Maestro Wilson at a free gathering on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 9 a.m. in the Casa Loma Room at the University of Redlands, during which local musicologist Dr. Lois Musmann will conduct an interview with Wilson. Admission is free, and no tickets or reservations are necessary. “We hope the community will take advantage of this opportunity to meet each of our candidates personally and to share their thoughts and observations with the Search Committee as they make their final recommendation to the Symphony’s Board of Directors,” Ideker said. The Nov. 14 concert is sponsored by Beaver Medical Group, and the 2015-16 season is sponsored by Ann and Vaughn Bryan. The Redlands Symphony is grateful to the University of Redlands for its long-standing partnership. The Symphony is a professional, independent non-profit orchestra. Tickets for the Nov. 14 concert are available starting at $15 by calling 909-748-8018 or by visiting www.redlandssymphony.com. Pick Four subscriptions are still available for the 2015-16 season and start at $51. Single tickets and subscriptions may both be purchased at the door or in advance by phone or online.