Meet the conductor

Staff Reports

Sierra Philharmonic League presents a coffee to meet Sarah Hatsuko Hicks, one of five candidates for the position of conductor/music director of the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra, 10 a.m. Jan. 8, at the Copeland Cultural Arts Center, 1572 Highway 395, Minden. Information, Jane Johnson, 267-3427.

Hicks conducts the Reno Philharmonic on Jan. 11 and 13 at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts in Reno.

This year's Reno Philharmonic concert season features each of five guest conductors plus a concert in March where the winner will be announced. The search for a new Reno Philharmonic conductor began last year with 200 candidates with the five remaining finalists featured as guest conductors. Those attending the concerts will be able to vote for a conductor online.

Hicks has been assistant conductor of the Minnesota Orchestra since 2006, is lead conductor of the "Inside the Classics" series, and is staff conductor at the Curtis Institute of Music.

First candidate Jeffrey Grogan conducted the Reno Philharmonic in September, followed by Rebecca Miller in October, Hicks on Jan. 11 and 13 and Laura Jackson on Feb. 8 and 10. The new musical director will be announced at the "Last Conductor Standing" concert March 29.

Each guest conductor will bring a guest soloist. Hick's choice is pianist Frederick Moyer who will be featured in Schumann's "Concerto for Piano, op. 54 in A-minor." Also on the program is "Gazebo Dances" by John Corigliano, Stravinsky's "Firebird Suite" and the pas de deux from Tchaikovsky's "Sleeping Beauty" ballet.

Ticket holders are eligible to vote for their favorite guest conductors online. Biographies and ticket information are available through the Pioneer Center, renophil.com