Who will pick up the baton?

By Kristen Peterson

Sunday, April 23, 2006 | 7:26 a.m.

The Las Vegas Philharmonic came into being July 4, 1998, thrown together at the last minute when contract disputes and financial problems tore through the struggling and tattered Nevada Symphony Orchestra.

Nearly eight years later, the philharmonic has a $1.5 million budget, a classical series, a series of small recitals in private homes, guest artists and composers, and a strong educational program.

While the orchestra still struggles to cement itself, given the transient nature of the city, it has undoubtedly seen success with the cultural community.

But music director Hal Weller's retirement at the end of next season means new leadership and, possibly, new direction.

The Las Vegas Philharmonic received 250 applicants for the position. A search committee attended symphonic concerts throughout the country, listened to recordings and pored over musical programs before settling on three finalists.

On Thursday it mailed a notice to its patrons of its decision. Musicians had already been informed. The two groups will decide who the next conductor is.

The candidates are: David Commanday of the Peoria Symphony Orchestra, David Itkin of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and Peter Rubardt of the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra. As part of the selection process, they will serve as guest conductors during the 2006-07 season.

Each conductor will spend a week in Las Vegas, lead four orchestra rehearsals in the music of his choosing and will conduct the Philharmonic in concert.

Two of the candidates studied in Vienna and come with degrees from Harvard and The Juilliard School. Another is a composer and conductor whose efforts to reach the community have included "blue jean night," as well as a heavy pops program.

Each candidate was selected based on his willingness to live in Las Vegas, musical director experience, musical track record, good leadership qualities and ability to participate in "the civic fabric of the community."

The committee also looked at the pattern of growth of each conductor's orchestra.

Weller said each candidate has a strong educational background. The biggest challenge facing the philharmonic's new conductor will be making the orchestra part of the community - not an easy feat for a concert orchestra living in the shadow of the glitzy entertainment capital of the world.

But Weller, a Dayton, Ohio, native, who studied at the Oberlin Conservatory, sees strong appeal in the Las Vegas Philharmonic, especially with the plans to build a downtown performing arts center in the next few years.

"Here's an orchestra that has a solid, in-the-black financial record and a new performing arts center," Weller said. "Who wouldn't die to have that?

"The more the philharmonic comes along, the more desirable the location becomes for musicians."

Peter Rubardt

In his ninth season as music director of the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra. Graduated from The Juilliard School with a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Orchestral Conducting. Was a Fulbright Scholar in Vienna. Past associate conductor of the Syracuse Symphony. Past resident conductor of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra.

Age: 47

Will conduct the Las Vegas Philharmonic on Feb. 17 in a concert featuring the music of Mozart, Prokofiev and Rachmaninoff. The guest artist will be pianist Stewart Goodyear.

Began in 1926 as John Borjes Pensacola Philharmonic Orchestra. Performs at Saengan.

Annual budget of about $950,000.

Pensacola Philharmonic Orchestra

Audience reach: 250,000 people in two-county area.

Musicians: 82.

Notes

Grew up in Berkeley, Calif., he has a "weakness for the Southwest." Has doubled the number of concerts per season. There are about 25 concerts a year plus ensemble concerts. Believes that connecting with the community is essential and has brought in new audiences through free concerts, church performances and performances in high school auditoriums and outlying areas.

Initiated a two-thrusted fundraising campaign that included an endowment and audience expansion. Endowment raised $1.8 million.

Built a pops audience and says every orchestra has to have a customized fit with its community.

Comments

On Las Vegas: "The potential for an orchestra in a city the size of Las Vegas and the way it's grown, the sky is the limit."

Regarding the orchestra: "It would be wonderful to work with an ensemble of that caliber."

Sees the project for the new performing arts center as "a powerful engine that can drive things culturally."

On potential challenges: "With a city growing at that rate, it's just getting the orchestra onto the radar. But that's so much the same in other cities."

David Itkin

In his 13th season as music director and conductor of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra (and first season as conductor of Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra in Abilene, Texas). Past associate conductor of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. Past music director of the Kingsport Symphony Orchestra. Past music director of the Birmingham Opera and the Lake Forest Symphony Orchestra.

Age: 48.

Will conduct the Las Vegas Philharmonic on Nov. 18 in a concert that will feature the music of Berlioz, Barber and Prokoviev. The guest artist will be cellist Matt Haimovitz.

Arkansas Symphony Orchestra

In its 40th season. Prior to Itkin, Robert Henderson conducted for 10 seasons. Performs 30 concerts in Robinson Center Music Hall.

Budget: $3.5 million.

Audience reach: between 300,000 and 400,000 people.

Musicians: 60.

Abilene Philharmonic budget: $500,000. (Four classical concerts).

Notes

Gives pre-concert talks and talks with audience during a concert.

Wrote two Biblically inspired compositions, including "Jonah" and "Exodus." The latter was narrated by William Shatner.

Turned "Exodus" into a community project, brought in a dozen churches and held discussion groups with clergy about the text of the story, which in turn brought new audience members.

Heavy pops program that has included guest artists such as Maya Angelou, Michael Bolton, Marilyn Horn, Al Jarreau, Natalie Cole and an upcoming Linda Ronstadt concert. But he maintains a mission to draw new classical audiences.

Familiar with the orchestra and its history via two colleagues who live in Las Vegas, one of them being concert master DeAnn Letourneau.

Comments

On Las Vegas: "I see enormous opportunity. You have an orchestra that has been brought up to this level in seven years. What that says is that things have gone great and there is exponential room for growth."

On pre-concert lectures: "It's the moment of real reaching out, real connection with audiences. Having someone else give that lecture, whether they do a fabulous job or not, it's not the same."

On pops in Las Vegas: "What can you possibly do to compete with what is happening four miles away? That is a question that is fundamental to the orchestra's future. The answer has to be a different type of pops, one that is several-fronted and takes a different look at pops compared to other cities."

David Commanday

Peoria Symphony Orchestra

Musical director of the Peoria Symphony Orchestra since 1999. Harvard University graduate. Attended the Vienna Hochschule fur Musik. His professional conducting career began with Boston Ballet. He toured with Rudolf Nureyev. Past music director of the Greater Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra. Former assistant conductor of the San Diego Symphony. Interested in the cultural growth of Las Vegas and the planned Smith Center for Performing Arts.

Age: "About 50, going on 32."

Will conduct the Las Vegas Philharmonic on Oct. 14 in a concert that will feature the music of Rossini, Corigliano, Sarasate and Beethoven. The guest violinist will be Lara St. John.

It's the 15th oldest orchestra in the United States. Established in 1898, it used to be called the Bradley Symphony Orchestra. Prior to Commanday, William Wilson was conductor for 21 years.

Budget is nearly $1.1 million.

Audience reach: 300,000 to 350,000.

Musicians: 77.

Notes

Enjoys "mixing it up" musically. In addition to traditional classical performers and performances, Commanday brings in novel soloists, such as classical guitarist Sharon Isbin. He's also presenting a percussion concerto by composer Christopher Rouse.

No regular pops series, but offers crossover concerts and has stated in interviews, "New music is a must."

Commanday attempts to remove "psychological barriers" that keep away potential concertgoers by presenting less formal concerts, such as student concerts, family concerts, follow-up musical matinees on Sundays and shorter concerts.

Comments

On Las Vegas: "Las Vegas is on the lips of everyone in the world because of the energy there. The sense of the open horizon, the openness to change and innovation attracted me."

On classical music: "Classical music can be fun and exciting, but one thing it should not be is stilted and stuffy. It can be serious, but not solemn."

On new music: "I pick new music that I'm confident will speak to someone for the first time. I think the new works can invigorate interest in the old works."