Music Director Sebastian Lang-Lessing announced that Akiko Fujimoto will be the new Assistant Conductor of the San Antonio Symphony. She begins her appointment in the beginning of January 2012. Her initial appointment is for the second half of the 2011-2012 season and the entire 2012-2013 season.
Fujimoto was engaged after a process which began in the late spring. Candidates sent video tapes and resumes to be reviewed by the orchestra’s Artistic Liaison Committee and Maestro Lang-Lessing. Four finalists conducted the orchestra for two rehearsals in early October. They also gave two demonstration talks and were interviewed by musicians and staff. Maestro Lang-Lessing engaged Ms. Fujimoto after reviewing orchestra surveys and receiving input from the Artistic Liaison Committee. Maestro Lang-Lessing said, “Akiko Fujimoto will be a great addition to the San Antonio Symphony. She has an engaging personality and speaking style, coupled with great musical skills.”
Ken-David Masur has left his San Antonio Symphony staff conducting position for new positions in Munich, Germany and San Diego. Ken-David was the Resident Conductor for four seasons, including the years during the Music Director Search. “We are grateful for all the fine work Ken-David has done in San Antonio and wish him well in his exciting new positions. We look forward to seeing Ken-David conduct in San Antonio in future seasons,” said Lang-Lessing. Masur will return to conduct in San Antonio several times this year, including performances of The Nutcracker with Ballet San Antonio, Holiday Pops and a classics concert in late March.
“I am thrilled to work with Maestro Lang-Lessing and the fantastic musicians of the San Antonio Symphony,” said Ms. Fujimoto. “I look forward to being a part of the musical community in San Antonio.”Hailed as “a very talented conductor who knows her score and her musicians” (Virginia
Gazette), Akiko Fujimoto has most recently served as the Conducting Associate for the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Music Director of the William & Mary Symphony Orchestra, and Music Director of the Williamsburg Youth Orchestras.
A native of Japan, Fujimoto attended high school in California and graduated from Stanford University with a Bachelor of Arts in music and psychology. She holds Master of Music degrees in conducting from the Eastman School of Music and Boston University.
As a member of the Virginia Symphony conducting staff, Fujimoto conducted the VSO in classical, holiday, and educational concerts including the Virginia Symphony’s 2009-2010 series of Young People’s Concerts and the Virginia Beach performance of the Classics concert featuring the world premiere of Behzad Ranjbaran’s Concerto for Violin, Viola and Orchestra. Fujimoto has also conducted the Fort Wayne Philharmonic and National Arts Centre Orchestra in performance as well as conducted the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra as part of the Orkney Conducting Institute.
Prior to arriving in Virginia, Fujimoto served as the Music Director and Conductor of the Mozart Society Orchestra at Harvard University where she led the MSO to many milestones, including performing with pianist and Mozart scholar Robert Levin.
Listen for an exclusive interview with Fujimoto Friday afternoon on KPAC, your classical oasis!
UPDATE 11:10am 10/28/11: Audio interview is now online. Listen here!
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