Charlotte Symphony Music Director Renews Contract Through 2016

Maestro Christopher Warren-Green to maintain residence in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Charlotte Symphony Music Director Christopher Warren-Green has renewed his contract through the 2015-16 season, vowing to continue to build on the artistic excellence he has brought to the Charlotte Symphony.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120814/DC56835)

"I am very enthusiastic about staying in Charlotte and continuing the work I have begun," said Warren-Green. "My wife Rosemary and I have been welcomed so enthusiastically into the fabric of the Charlotte community. This shows that the community can and will help us create the New American Orchestra right here in Charlotte."

"Christopher's decision is a sign of dedication to both the Symphony and the Charlotte community," said Emily Smith, Chairperson of the Charlotte Symphony Board of Directors. "We are thrilled to continue to have this conductor of world-wide renown as Music Director of our orchestra."

During his first three years as Music Director, Warren-Green has increased the visibility and enhanced the public image of the Charlotte Symphony at home and abroad. He brings to the podium a level of artistry unsurpassed in the region, and global experience from which to draw. Warren-Green, who is also the Music Director for the London Chamber Orchestra (LCO), was chosen by the royal family to conduct the LCO for the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton in April of 2011.

"Maestro Warren-Green has taken the orchestra to a new level of artistry and accessibility," said Joy Payton-Stevens, Cellist for the Charlotte Symphony. "His passion for music is contagious. The musicians and the audience really respond to it."

While busy schedules require worldwide travel, Warren-Green and his wife, Rosemary Furniss, violinist and Concertmaster for the LCO, continue to make their primary residence in Charlotte, giving themselves to the local community and providing a level of local accessibility rarely seen in orchestras around the country.

"I want to make the orchestra accessible to everyone, and that is why I implemented on-stage seating last year, and why I take part in and enjoy post-concert talks with the audience. This is an orchestra that dives fearlessly into new programs like our KnightSounds, and I see the orchestra—and the city of Charlotte—growing and flourishing because of our joint commitment to the arts."

Warren-Green's impact in the Charlotte community extends far beyond the Belk Theater. He and his wife Rosemary have been closely involved in the development and expansion of the music education program at Winterfield Elementary, a Title I school located in East Charlotte. Inspired by the internationally-acclaimed Venezuelan "el Sistema" model, the program currently involves more than 60 students (second to fifth grade) in a free, after-school music program.

"Music and music education are so vital to the community," said Rosemary. "We've seen the children's grades and attendance improve, and their families are more involved. Music is very powerful and transformational."

As for the future of the organization, Warren-Green's vision includes continued artistic excellence, increased partnerships with other organizations, innovation through new programs, and service to the community, all with the goal of attracting a new and broader audience. He will continue to build on programs such as the innovative KnightSounds series, which challenges preconceived notions of the classical music concert and breaks down the barriers between the orchestra and its community.

Christopher Warren-Green sees a future of innovation and transformation at the Charlotte Symphony. "I'm committed to continuing this exciting journey and the very important work that we're doing here."

About Christopher Warren-Green
Warren-Green has guest-conducted extensively in North America, including concerts with Philadelphia, Minnesota, National Symphony, Houston Symphony, Seattle Symphony and Vancouver Symphony orchestras. Last season saw Warren-Green's debut with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, and in 2013 he returns to the St Louis Symphony and Detroit Symphony orchestras. In Europe, he is a regular visitor to the Orchestre National de Belgique, as well as the Royal Philharmonic, Iceland Symphony and London Philharmonic orchestras. Next season, he conducts the world premiere of Frank Corcoran's Violin Concerto with the RTE National Symphony Orchestra Dublin and makes his Italian debut with the Orchestra I Pomeriggi Musicali. As Music Director and Principal Conductor of the London Chamber Orchestra, he conducts a number of concerts each season featuring repertoire starting at Bach and stretching through to contemporary works written especially for the orchestra.

Warren-Green recently appeared with the Philharmonia Orchestra at the 2012 Three Choirs Festival as well as the Boston Summer Arts Weekend Festival in the same year with trumpeter Alison Balsom. Other festival appearances have included the closing concert of the Berlin International Festival with the LCO, the International Music Festival 'Chopin and his Europe' with Sinfonia Varsovia and Maria Joao Pires, the Menton Festival, and the Enescu Festival with the Chamber Orchestra of the Romanian National Radio Society. Warren-Green has been personally invited to conduct on many occasions for the Royal Family in the last thirty years: in addition to last year's marriage ceremony of HRH Prince William Duke of Cambridge and HRH Duchess of Cambridge, other notable occasions have included Her Majesty the Queen's 80th birthday celebrations at Kew Palace and HRH Prince of Wales' 60th birthday concert.

Christopher Warren-Green is represented by HarrisonParrott (www.harrisonparrott.com)

About the Charlotte Symphony
Founded in 1932, the Charlotte Symphony aspires to serve the whole community through music that educates, entertains and enriches.  As the largest arts organization in Charlotte, the symphony plays to 200,000 audience members each year in 90 concerts featuring classical music to pops. The symphony also reaches more than 12,000 students in 55 schools throughout the area in pursuit of its mission to provide musical education. As the largest employer of individual artists in Charlotte, the symphony generates an annual economic impact exceeding $15 million. The symphony welcomes contributions; as with most performing arts organizations, ticket revenues cover only about one-third of expenses.

Contact: Rayna Davis, Media Coordinator
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SOURCE Charlotte Symphony