Music director hopes holiday shows boosts symphony following
Gerry Ricciutti
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – The new music director for the Youngstown Symphony is hoping the programs included in the upcoming concert season will boost the orchestra’s following.
Erik Ochsner is no stranger to audiences of the orchestra. He’s served as guest conductor nine times in the last several years, including a performance of “Beethoven & Beyond” back in January. But he may be best remembered for conducting the symphony as it performed the soundtracks for popular movies such as “Home Alone.”
“The concert master came to speak with me; the librarian came to speak with me; the executive director came to speak with me and said, ‘Do you do classical music?’ And I said, ‘I do. I’m just not getting currently hired to do that much of it.’” Ochsner said.
Fast forward to now, and Ochsner has been named the symphony’s new music director, with four performances scheduled for the upcoming season. It starts with a holiday show in just six weeks.
Ochsner was born at a military hospital in Germany, grew up in Indiana, and now lives in New York.
“I get to guest conduct all around the world, which fills two of my passions, both music and travel. I’ve been to 51 different countries,” Ochsner said.
His interest in music started at the tender age of four or five, mimicking his older brother playing the piano.
“Which I’ve not heard from other families, that is quite common. The little sibling starts to go and pound on the piano, so that’s what I did,” Ochsner said.
Conducting the Symphony means working with other musicians who, like him, also perform with other orchestras — something he refers to as “freelancing,’ which often means learning new material very quickly.
“Say we have a concert on a Saturday evening. The first time I meet them is on Friday evening, and we’re all at a level we have to be, we’re expected to be,” Ochsner said.
For now, Ochsner hopes this first season will help build a greater following for the symphony.
“The doors are open to everyone and anyone, even if you’ve never been to a classical concert. We want everyone to know that this is your Youngstown Symphony,” he said.
If this season is a success, it could lead to additional shows in the future.