Hey you! Wanna pick the Chicago Symphony’s new music director?

Ahh, the music director. Historically, he or she is the most influential individual in just about any orchestra. Aside from the obvious artistic points of the job description i.e. conducting the orchestra and guiding its musical direction, (s)he takes on less visible but vitally important administrative duties such as representing the orchestra in the community and soliciting support from donors.

Add this all up, toss in the fact that many music directors are only around for a dozen or so weeks a year (many MDs double their duties with other orchestras) and it is plain to see that the job takes a good deal out of anyone.

Currently, several orchestras are challenging the traditional notion that role of the MD should be filled by a single man or woman including the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (observing this model first-hand is one of the many reasons I am looking forward to working with the PSO for my third assignment).

About one year ago, Daniel Barenboim, the famed music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra decided to call it quits at the end of the 2005-2006 season. He said,

"After much soul-searching and reflection, I have come to realize that the position and responsibilities of a music director in America are changing in that they require many non-artistic duties, and I feel I have neither the energy nor the time to fulfill them…"

Since that announcement, the field has been a buzz about who will fill his shoes and lead the international flagship CSO (my hometown orchestra).

Who do you think? The Chicago Symphony is asking and now is your time to be heard. I put in my two cents, how about tossing in yours?

go to www.cso.org/search