James DePreist, who led the Oregon Symphony for more than 20 years, has been named artistic advisor for the Pasadena Symphony’s upcoming season and will conduct the orchestra in its first two concerts at its new home, the Ambassador Auditorium. Next summer, award-winning composer Marvin Hamlisch will serve as conductor of the Pasadena Pops. DePriest and Hamlisch arrive at an economically challenging time for the Symphony and Pops, following the tumultuous merger of the once-separate organizations which resulted in the ousting of administrators and the departure of the group's two conductors. How will the Symphony and Pops deal with their fund-raising challenges? And what are their new artistic directions?
Guests:
James DePreist, artistic advisor of the Symphony and Pops, and the current director of conducting and orchestral studies at the Juilliard School in New York City
Paul Jan Zdunek, CEO of the Symphony and Pops