With thanks to the Winston-Salem Symphony for this news:
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (JANUARY 20, 2015) – In conjunction with unveiling performances for its 2015-16 season, the Winston-Salem Symphony also announced that it has negotiated a new contract with music director Robert Moody. Currently in his tenth season, Maestro Moody will continue as music director of the Winston-Salem Symphony for an additional three years under the terms of the new contract.
“Our orchestra has experienced tremendous success since Robert became music director in 2005, and we look forward to continuing to share world-class musical experiences with him for another three years,” Winston-Salem Symphony board chair Joia Johnson said. “The board of directors of the Winston-Salem Symphony has been in discussion with Robert for some time about a new contract, and we’re thrilled that he will continue as the highly valued leader of our orchestra.”
“While at the helm of our Symphony, Robert has brought tremendous talent to Winston-Salem, including Yo-Yo Ma, Renée Fleming, Itzhak Perlman, Van Cliburn, Joshua Bell, and, most recently, Christoph Koncz of the Vienna Philharmonic. He also has shepherded new experiences, such as the popular Carolina Christmas Spectacular, and played an integral leadership role in the community serving on several local non-profit boards,” Johnson added. “This is an exciting day for the Winston-Salem Symphony and musical audiences across the region.”
Maestro Moody also has served as artistic director of Arizona Musicfest since 2007 and music director of the Portland Symphony Orchestra (Maine) since 2008.
“There was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to continue serving as music director of the Winston-Salem Symphony, and I am excited to continue sharing world-class musical experiences with audiences from across the region,” Maestro Moody said. “The Triad is home to a large number of professional musicians, and as a result, I’m fortunate to get to work with incredibly talented musicians at the Winston-Salem Symphony.”
“In addition, the local community welcomed me with open arms when I came here in 2005 and has been very supportive of our orchestra’s performances and community outreach programs,” Moody added. “I owe the community a great deal of appreciation. So, thank you, Winston-Salem.”
About Robert Moody
Moody’s 2014-15 season includes engagements with the Toronto, Memphis, and Spokane Symphonies…. Equally at home in the opera pit, Moody began his career as apprentice conductor for the Landestheater Opera in Linz, Austria. He has gone on to conduct at the opera companies of Santa Fe, Rochester, Hilton Head, and the Brevard Music Center. He also assisted on a production of Verdi’s Otello at the Metropolitan Opera, conducted by Valery Gergiev. He debuted with the Washington National Opera and North Carolina Opera in 2014.
About the Winston-Salem Symphony
The Winston-Salem Symphony, now performing its 68th season, is one of the Southeast’s most highly regarded regional orchestras. This season also marks Maestro Robert Moody’s 10th anniversary with the [Winston-Salem] Symphony. Under the baton of Music Director Moody, its performance season includes a classics series, a pops series, concerts for kids, annual performances of Handel’s Messiah, a concert featuring Winston-Salem Symphony and Youth Symphony musicians, holiday concerts, three youth orchestra ensembles, and a multitude of educational and community engagement programs.