Maestro Mickelthwate moving on to Oklahoma

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 22/05/2017 (2136 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra has announced that Alexander Mickelthwate will be the Music Director of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic for the 2018-2019 season.

In a press release put out Monday, the WSO called the Oklahoma orchestra one of the premier regional orchestras in the United States.

Mickelthwate has been the Music Director of the WSO since 2006 and, by the end of his tenure next season, will have been there for 12 seasons. That will put him up with Bramwell Tovey as the two longest-serving directors that the WSO has had.

“I am grateful for my years with the WSO and my years in Winnipeg,” said Mickelthwate in the release. “I will continue to think of myself as part of the WSO family for years to come. Yes, we have raised two hockey playing Canadian boys.”

“In his years with the WSO, he has become a much-admired leader in the broader arts scene in Winnipeg and has made many friends throughout our community,” said President Terry Sargeant.

“We look forward to next season, the WSO’s 70th anniversary season and Alexander’s last as Music Director. Throughout the season, we will celebrate Alexander’s years with the WSO, while highlighting many of his contributions to our orchestra and community.”

In his years with the WSO, Mickelthwate was heavliy involved in the Sistema Winnipeg program, a social change program for children built on musical training.

In 2014, he was at the helm of the WSO’s performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

 

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