Meet Our Candidates
Chris Cicconi
CELEBRATIONS!
October 7, 7:30pm
- Machine: Jennifer Higdon
- Danzon No. 2: Arturo Márquez
- Escapades from Catch Me If You Can for Alto
- Saxophone and Orchestra: John Williams
- Scheherazade: Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
Dr. Christopher Cicconi is Director of Bands and Orchestras, and Associate Professor of Music Education at Towson University. Here, he teaches courses in music education, conducting, wind/orchestral repertoire, and advises student interns. He is a sought after guest conductor regionally and nationally, and is also the music director of the Chesapeake Youth Symphony Orchestra (Concert Orchestra). As a strong advocate for music education, Dr, Cicconi enjoys presenting a state and national conferences as well as working with school band and orchestra programs throughout the state and Mid-Atlantic region.
Chris wants you to know that he thoroughly enjoys hiking throughout the country with his wife and two boys, Nico and Jax, and was recently ranked 3rd in the world in Angry Birds! A huge feat!
Chris wants you to know that he thoroughly enjoys hiking throughout the country with his wife and two boys, Nico and Jax, and was recently ranked 3rd in the world in Angry Birds! A huge feat!
Jordan Randall Smith
Tales From The Woods
December 2, 7:30pm
- Festive Overture, Op. 96: Shostakovich
- Double Concerto for Clarinet
- and Bassoon: Mvt. III: Jonathan Leshnoff
- The Oak: Florence Price
- Symphony No. 8 in G Major, Op. 88: Antonín Dvořák
Jordan Randall Smith has led groundbreaking performances as Music Director of Symphony Number One (the 2019 American Prize Winner), and is the former Director of Orchestras at Susquehanna University, and a co-founder and Creative Director of the International Florence Price Festival. Jordan’s leadership of Mahler’s fourth symphony was praised by the Baltimore Sun: “The third movement, in particular, was quite sensitively molded.”
Jordan told us, “I believe that life is all about relationships, and music is a uniquely powerful relationship incubator. As an educator, I am constantly reminded of human creativity and flexibility. In my experience, the youngest kiddos understand something that we adults have to train ourselves to remember: music gives us permission to unlock our hearts and minds and live free.” He lives with his wife Erin and their two cats, Cookie and Cala (who is 20 years old!) He and Erin recently joined the pickle ball craze, but he says they aren’t very good yet!
Jordan told us, “I believe that life is all about relationships, and music is a uniquely powerful relationship incubator. As an educator, I am constantly reminded of human creativity and flexibility. In my experience, the youngest kiddos understand something that we adults have to train ourselves to remember: music gives us permission to unlock our hearts and minds and live free.” He lives with his wife Erin and their two cats, Cookie and Cala (who is 20 years old!) He and Erin recently joined the pickle ball craze, but he says they aren’t very good yet!
Richard Scerbo
Yesterday, Today, And Tomorrow
February 3, 7:30pm
- Horn Concerto No. 1: Richard Strauss
- Amen: Carlos Simon
- Symphony No. 5: Sergei Prokofiev
Richard Scerbo is a conductor, teacher, and arts leader drawn to new ideas, fun collaborations, and vital music-making of all kinds. For nearly two decades he has been the Artistic Director and Conductor of Inscape Chamber Orchestra, leading the ensemble in numerous concerts and recordings, including the GRAMMY-nominated album, Sprung Rhythm. He also directs the National Orchestral Institute + Festival where he is responsible for composition, conducting, and orchestral training programs with a bold vision to create the future of orchestras in the United States. When not making music, Richard enjoys gardening, hiking, skiing, watching documentaries, and board games with friends. He grew up near Annapolis, Maryland and credits his amazing public school music teachers for his lifelong journey in music. Currently Richard lives in Mount Rainier, Maryland with his partner Christopher Wilson and their growing family of houseplants.
Fun fact about Richard: “I set out a few years ago to teach myself to bake bread. I figured humans have been baking bread for 10,000 years, so it was about time I learned! I’m still making my way through Ken Forkish’s amazing book “Flour Water Salt Yeast,” which has been tons of fun. Since my concert is during the winter, it’s highly probable that some fresh baked boules of bread might appear at rehearsal for any takers. (I usually give away most of what I bake.)”
Fun fact about Richard: “I set out a few years ago to teach myself to bake bread. I figured humans have been baking bread for 10,000 years, so it was about time I learned! I’m still making my way through Ken Forkish’s amazing book “Flour Water Salt Yeast,” which has been tons of fun. Since my concert is during the winter, it’s highly probable that some fresh baked boules of bread might appear at rehearsal for any takers. (I usually give away most of what I bake.)”
John Murton
Confessions Of The Soul
May 18, 7:30pm
- blue cathedral: Jennifer Higdon
- Cello Concerto in E minor: Edward Elgar
- Natalia Vilchis, cello
- Symphony #2: Jean Sibelius
John Murton, conductor, was born and raised in London, UK. After working as a singer and instrumentalist throughout the UK and Europe, he moved to the United States, originally to study in Cincinnati, and then to Washington DC where he is currently the Assistant Conductor of the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra. John fanatically believes in the power of live performance by orchestras to create “wow” moments that are like nothing else. His mission is to share those “wow” moments with musicians and audiences alike. When taking a break from this single-minded obsession you can often find John in the kitchen, cooking for far more people than he has invited to dinner!
John told us, “I have travelled from coast to coast by Amtrak in a single journey!”
John told us, “I have travelled from coast to coast by Amtrak in a single journey!”
