Palmer switches 2nd duties to Indiana

Conductor leaves Pennsylvania orchestra

5/9/2007

By Beth Wilberding
Messenger-Inquirer

Maestro Nicholas Palmer has spent the last nine years balancing conducting duties with the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra and the Altoona Symphony Orchestra in Altoona, Pa.

But he has decided to switch his juggling act and bring it a little closer to Owensboro.

Palmer is now the music director for the Lafayette Symphony Orchestra in Lafayette, Ind. He will remain maestro of the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra but will be leaving Altoona.

"The orchestra has excellent support in the community, financial stability and artistic excellence," Palmer said of Lafayette.

Palmer was music director of the Altoona Symphony Orchestra for 11 years. He said moving on to Lafayette would be a step-up for him career-wise.

The LSO has a larger budget than Altoona and more concerts -- eight subscription concerts a year to Altoona's six.

The LSO received 157 applicants, and a search committee narrowed the list to 25, LSO Executive Director Ken Bootsma said. Five finalists were chosen.

Palmer and the four other finalists each conducted a performance during the 2006-07 season, according to an LSO press release.

Palmer was the last conductor of the season, performing April 14.

"The performance was just outstanding," Bootsma said.

Palmer's "wealth of experience" and the educational programs he has helped develop at the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra are two of the qualities that Bootsma said he likes about Palmer.

Margarita Contreni, LSO board president, said Palmer has good community leadership.
"He's just a fabulous, fabulous person," Contreni said.

As in Owensboro, Palmer will play a major role in choosing the programs for the orchestra's season. He and LSO board and staff members are already discussing possibilities for the 2007-08 season, Palmer said.

Jay Gephart, who is director of bands at Purdue University, will be Palmer's associate conductor at the LSO.

LSO's first concert of the 2007-08 season is Sept. 15. The Owensboro Symphony Orchestra opens its season Sept. 22.