Spokane Symphony announces conductors' contract extensions

Mar 16, 2006

For Immediate Release

Contact: Annie Matlow 326-3136

Spokane -- Music Director Eckart Preu has signed a contract extension that ensures his podium position with the Spokane Symphony through the 2009-2010 season, Symphony Board President Cate Moye announced today.

We are so excited to tell you that Eckart Preu will being leading the Spokane Symphony for three additional years. The fabulous artistic journey we have begun in these first two years will continue to grow as we move to the Fox Theater, said Moye.

To make this news even more significant, Executive Director Brenda Nienhouse announced that Associate Conductor Morihiko Nakahara has signed a two-year contract with the orchestra.

With this dynamic duo in place, we are poised to move to even greater accomplishments in the future. Ensuring this highly talented artistic leadership team creates a significant foundation for the strategic planning process we will begin in April, Nienhouse said.

Working with the musicians of the Spokane Symphony has been one of the most rewarding and satisfying things I have done in my life. The music making in this orchestra is based on love for the music, technical skill, musicianship and exemplary work ethics - always with the ambition to improve the own achievements as well as the relationship to our audience, said Preu.

The audience in Spokane is such an important part of why this orchestra plays so well. I am proud and excited to be part of the Spokane Symphony family, and to be here during one of the most thrilling times in the history of the Symphony: the upcoming opening of the Fox Theater, Preu added.

In two short years, Preu has made his mark on the orchestra and on this community but he also has received national recognition. Henry Fogel, president of the American Symphony Orchestra League said, Eckart Preu is one of the most impressive talents in the group of younger conductors working today in America. He is deeply musical, he cares about orchestras, and he conducts with elegance, style, and intensity. Preu also serves as the Music Director for the Stamford (CT) Symphony.

Preu is the primary conductor and artistic director of the Classics series and plans the Casual Classics at the Met, Symphony on the Edge and Coeur d'Alene concerts.

Nakahara, who is completing his third year as associate conductor of the Spokane Symphony, also serves as Director of Orchestras at Eastern Washington University and as Music Director of the Holland (MI) Symphony. In addition to is conducting duties in the Casual Classics at the Met, Symphony on the Edge and SuperPops, Nakahara conducts the orchestra for one Classics concert and in educational and outreach performances. He will now serve as artistic director of the SuperPops series.

During the last three seasons, I have been fortunate to be a part of many wonderful musical moments with this great orchestra and our loyal audience. Some of my fondest memories -- both musical and personal -- have been made here in Spokane. I'm very grateful for this opportunity to continue in my role, especially as we all eagerly await the restoration of the Fox Theater and further artistic excellence in our new home. Together with Eckart, the orchestra, and our dedicated board and staff, I look forward to reaching an ever wider audience throughout our community, said Nakahara.

The board of trustees, the staff and musicians are very happy to know that this leadership team is in place at this critical stage in the life of the orchestra. Symphony listeners have been asking the question, How long can we keep them? With this announcement those concerns are put to rest, Nienhouse said.

"What a pleasure to be reminded again how lucky Spokane is in having its orchestra in the hands of two excellent conductors, music director Eckart Preu and his associate (Morihiko) Nakahara." Music Critic Travis Rivers, Spokesman-Review Feb. 11, 2006