January 28, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Portland, Ore. … Gregory Vajda, the assistant conductor of the Milwaukee Symphony who was recently called a “young titan” in the Montreal Gazette, has been appointed to a one-year appointment as interim Resident Conductor of the Oregon Symphony, President William Ryberg announced today. Vajda will serve as Resident Conductor for the 2005-2006 season while a search is conducted for a new staff conductor, Ryberg said.
“I am very pleased that Gregory has agreed to spend next season with us,” said Music Director Carlos Kalmar. “He and I have much in common musically and he is a hard worker, which is essential. I have great respect for him as a musician; we are going to have a great year together.”
Vajda, who conducted a Sundays at Two concert during the 2003-2004 season to great acclaim from both the orchestra and the audience, will conduct a Classical and a Pops concert, in addition to serving as the primary conductor for the Youth and Kids Concerts. He also will serve as the orchestra’s chief “cover” conductor, which requires him to be available and prepared to conduct any concert or rehearsal on a moment’s notice. As such, his primary responsibility will be to maintain the artistic integrity of the orchestra in Kalmar’s absence. He will move to Portland.
“In a young career like mine, it is essential to make the right decision at the right time,” said Vajda. “Moving to Portland and joining the Oregon Symphony family is a perfect step up for me at this point in my career. I am looking forward to working with the musicians and with Carlos, who is not only known to be an excellent conductor but also widely acclaimed as a great musician.”
Born in Budapest, Hungary, in 1973, Vajda completes a three-year appointment in Milwaukee this season. Previously he served as music director of the New Theater Budapest, founder and artistic director of the Valley of the Arts Summer Festival in Hungary and permanent guest conductor of the Hungarian State Opera (1998-2003), among others. He resigned all permanent European posts in 2002 to focus completely on his Milwaukee responsibilities and guest conducting. Vajda also is a clarinetist and a composer.
Many of Vajda’s responsibilities are currently assigned to Assistant Conductor Mei-Ann Chen, who has decided to step down at the end of the 2004-2005 season to concentrate fully on her duties as Conductor and Music Director of the Portland Youth Philharmonic. The decision followed an announcement that the Symphony would expand its Classical programming for the coming season, demanding a greater time commitment from the staff conductor. Chen said the challenging balancing act of responsibility between the Portland Youth Philharmonic and the expansion of duties at the Symphony coincided with her wish to further develop programs at the Portland Youth Philharmonic and expand access to great music for young people in the community.
“I can't say how much I appreciate the opportunities, experiences and support the Symphony and Carlos have given me in these two years. I would like to continue my involvement with the Symphony, but I think this decision is in the best interests of the orchestra. I have heard great things about Gregory Vajda and I know the Symphony is lucky to have him.”
During the 2005-2006 season the Symphony will embark on a search for a new staff conductor, said Ryberg. The title and specific responsibilities are yet to be determined.
NOTE: Gregory Vajda's bio and photos are available on request.
