Central Iowa Symphony has selected two well-qualified finalists for its music director/conductor position. Each of the finalists will select a program, rehearse the orchestra, and conduct a concert during symphony’s 2004­05 season. CIS invites the public to join in the search process by attending concerts and completing a comment form about each of the candidates.

Alison J. Gaines will conduct the October 17, 2004 concert.

Gaines’s experience includes appointments as interim director of orchestra at Iowa State University, music director of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Kansas City, and music director of the Atchison/Benedictine Community Orchestra. In addition, she has served as guest conductor for the Des Moines All-City Orchestra, Lawrence (KS) Chamber Players, Breckenridge (CO) Chamber Orchestra, and Tulsa (OK) Public Schools All-City Orchestra.

Gaines expects to complete her doctoral studies in orchestral conducting at the University of Kansas in December 2004. Prior to pursuing a doctorate in conducting, Gaines was a full-time professional bassist.

Gaines has titled the October concert "Music of Russia." Showcasing the evolution of Russian music, the concert features works by Glinka, Shostakovitch and Tchaikovsky. Michael Linville, piano, joins the orchestra for the Shostakovitch concerto.

James P. Hannon will conduct the February 27, 2005, concert.

Most recently director of orchestras and violin instructor at the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse, Hannon currently is director of orchestra at Iowa State University. Previously Hannon served as director of orchestras at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, music director of Umeå Ungdomsymfoniker ( Umeå, Sweden), music director of Belleville (IL) Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, assistant conductor of the Symphony Orchestra at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, and music director of the Battle Creek (MI) Youth Symphony Orchestra.

Hannon is a candidate for a doctoral degree in orchestral conducting from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In 2000, he received the Richard C. Church Outstanding Orchestral Conductor’s Award.

For the February concert, Hannon has planned "A Family Vacation." With Charbrier’s "España Rhapsody," Tchaikovsky’s Capriccio Italien, and Gershwin’s "An American in Paris," audience members can travel vicariously to Spain, Italy and France. The concert will feature Young Artists—top student musicians from the central Iowa area.

Central Iowa Symphony looks forward to these performances. Plan to join us as we complete the conductor search! If all goes as planned, we will announce and introduce our new conductor at Gala in the Gardens next June.