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Music in the Mountains is indeed “hungry for more,” as it announced Maestro Gregory Vajda, the Hungarian clarinetist and recent guest conductor, as the new artistic and music director for Music in the Mountains.
The organization's search committee reviewed 116 applications of conductors from around the globe and narrowed the field to two finalists. After the audience, orchestra and chorus had the opportunity to see both candidates conduct, Gregory Vajda was chosen as only the second music director in the 28 year history of Music in the Mountains. Vajda, who recently conducted during the Summer Fest 2009 and Spring Fest 2009, will follow co-founder and Aristic Director Emeritus Paul Perry to lead western Nevada County's professional orchestra. Perry retired in 2008.
“I am thrilled and can't wait to start working as the new artistic and music director of Music in the Mountains,” Vajda said. “This one-of-a-kind organization is one of the most exciting and inspiring festivals I have ever encountered. I look forward to moving into the future with the Music in the Mountains family and building on Paul Perry's sound foundation.”
When The Union asked Vajda in the spring why he would want to settle in the Sierra Nevada Foothills after working in big cities around the world, he replied, “Because it's a great gig.”
Music in the Mountains' festival schedule, community support and opportunity to bring in a wide variety of music, in addition to mainstream classical, offered unusual creative opportunities, Vajda added.
Wayne Pittenger, search committee chair, described the two-and-a-half-year process that led to the selection of Vajda. “First, the committee was looking for artistic leadership to take Music in the Mountains to the next musical level. Beyond that, we evaluated the ability of the person to take a creative approach to building broad and deep relationships within the community. We wanted someone who could help Music in the Mountains and be a rich source of creative energy and inspiration. Finally, we were looking for a person to be an integral part of our educational programs and committed to their continuous development. The committee felt that Gregory not only has all of these skills, but also a genuine enthusiasm for Nevada County, and has demonstrated a real passion for building this orchestra.”
Vajda emerged as the organization's choice because of his extensive knowledge of musical repertoire, enthusiasm and energy, and the overwhelmingly positive responses from the orchestra, chorus, audience, boards of directors, and search committee alike. “The selection of Gregory Vajda ensures that Music in the Mountains will continue to explore and achieve artistic excellence for years to come,” said board of directors president Jeffrey Leiter.
Concertmaster, Robin Mayforth was “blown-away” by his infectious energy and skill that resulted in the orchestra soaring to a new level.
“I am very excited about working with Gregory,” said Marge Rath, executive director/CEO of Music in the Mountains. “He has a real vision for this organization and its place in our community as well as bringing a tremendous amount of energy, enthusiasm and talent. The years to come will be thrilling ones for Music in the Mountains under his leadership.”
Hailed as a “young titan” by the Montreal Gazette after conducting the Montreal Symphony in Bartók's Bluebeard's Castle and Schoenberg's Erwartung, Gregory Vajda has fast become one of the most sought-after conductors on the international scene. After completing his tenure as assistant conductor of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra in 2005, Vajda took over as resident conductor of the Oregon Symphony Orchestra at the start of the 2005-06 season. Prior to his position in Milwaukee, he served as founder and artistic advisor of the Valley of the Arts Summer Festival in Hungary and permanent guest conductor of the Hungarian State Opera (1998-2003).
Since then his career has reached new heights. A regular guest at major summer festivals on both sides of the Atlantic, he has debuted with the Vienna Philharmonic and Vienna State Opera Chorus at the Salzburg Festival and appeared at the Mostly Mozart Festival, Chicago's Grant Park Festival, Lanaudičre Festival, Round Top Festival in Texas, Woodstock Mozart Festival, as well as the festivals of Avignon and Strassbourg in France.
Making a mark as a guest conductor of choice in his adopted country, Vajda has led such orchestras as the Philadelphia Orchestra, Houston Symphony, Milwaukee Symphony, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, and the symphonies of San Antonio, Honolulu, Charlotte, Santa Rosa, Louisville, Omaha, and Silicon Valley. Equally in demand in Canada, he has appeared with the Montreal Symphony, Toronto Symphony, National Arts Centre Orchestra, Les Violons du Roy, Calgary Philharmonic, Edmonton Symphony, and Winnipeg Symphony.
Vajda has also enjoyed much success in the orchestra pit of the Atlanta Opera, Montreal Opera, and Florentine Opera in Milwaukee. In Europe he has worked with the Ensemble Intercotemporain, Klangforum Wien, Budapest Symphony, and Hungarian Radio Orchestra to great acclaim.
Born in Budapest the son of renowned soprano Vernoika Kincses, Gregory Vajda studied conducting at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music, and was a pupil of well-known composer and conductor, Peter Eötvös. He is also an accomplished clarinetist and composer.
The organization's search committee reviewed 116 applications of conductors from around the globe and narrowed the field to two finalists. After the audience, orchestra and chorus had the opportunity to see both candidates conduct, Gregory Vajda was chosen as only the second music director in the 28 year history of Music in the Mountains. Vajda, who recently conducted during the Summer Fest 2009 and Spring Fest 2009, will follow co-founder and Aristic Director Emeritus Paul Perry to lead western Nevada County's professional orchestra. Perry retired in 2008.
“I am thrilled and can't wait to start working as the new artistic and music director of Music in the Mountains,” Vajda said. “This one-of-a-kind organization is one of the most exciting and inspiring festivals I have ever encountered. I look forward to moving into the future with the Music in the Mountains family and building on Paul Perry's sound foundation.”
When The Union asked Vajda in the spring why he would want to settle in the Sierra Nevada Foothills after working in big cities around the world, he replied, “Because it's a great gig.”
Music in the Mountains' festival schedule, community support and opportunity to bring in a wide variety of music, in addition to mainstream classical, offered unusual creative opportunities, Vajda added.
Wayne Pittenger, search committee chair, described the two-and-a-half-year process that led to the selection of Vajda. “First, the committee was looking for artistic leadership to take Music in the Mountains to the next musical level. Beyond that, we evaluated the ability of the person to take a creative approach to building broad and deep relationships within the community. We wanted someone who could help Music in the Mountains and be a rich source of creative energy and inspiration. Finally, we were looking for a person to be an integral part of our educational programs and committed to their continuous development. The committee felt that Gregory not only has all of these skills, but also a genuine enthusiasm for Nevada County, and has demonstrated a real passion for building this orchestra.”
Vajda emerged as the organization's choice because of his extensive knowledge of musical repertoire, enthusiasm and energy, and the overwhelmingly positive responses from the orchestra, chorus, audience, boards of directors, and search committee alike. “The selection of Gregory Vajda ensures that Music in the Mountains will continue to explore and achieve artistic excellence for years to come,” said board of directors president Jeffrey Leiter.
Concertmaster, Robin Mayforth was “blown-away” by his infectious energy and skill that resulted in the orchestra soaring to a new level.
“I am very excited about working with Gregory,” said Marge Rath, executive director/CEO of Music in the Mountains. “He has a real vision for this organization and its place in our community as well as bringing a tremendous amount of energy, enthusiasm and talent. The years to come will be thrilling ones for Music in the Mountains under his leadership.”
Hailed as a “young titan” by the Montreal Gazette after conducting the Montreal Symphony in Bartók's Bluebeard's Castle and Schoenberg's Erwartung, Gregory Vajda has fast become one of the most sought-after conductors on the international scene. After completing his tenure as assistant conductor of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra in 2005, Vajda took over as resident conductor of the Oregon Symphony Orchestra at the start of the 2005-06 season. Prior to his position in Milwaukee, he served as founder and artistic advisor of the Valley of the Arts Summer Festival in Hungary and permanent guest conductor of the Hungarian State Opera (1998-2003).
Since then his career has reached new heights. A regular guest at major summer festivals on both sides of the Atlantic, he has debuted with the Vienna Philharmonic and Vienna State Opera Chorus at the Salzburg Festival and appeared at the Mostly Mozart Festival, Chicago's Grant Park Festival, Lanaudičre Festival, Round Top Festival in Texas, Woodstock Mozart Festival, as well as the festivals of Avignon and Strassbourg in France.
Making a mark as a guest conductor of choice in his adopted country, Vajda has led such orchestras as the Philadelphia Orchestra, Houston Symphony, Milwaukee Symphony, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, and the symphonies of San Antonio, Honolulu, Charlotte, Santa Rosa, Louisville, Omaha, and Silicon Valley. Equally in demand in Canada, he has appeared with the Montreal Symphony, Toronto Symphony, National Arts Centre Orchestra, Les Violons du Roy, Calgary Philharmonic, Edmonton Symphony, and Winnipeg Symphony.
Vajda has also enjoyed much success in the orchestra pit of the Atlanta Opera, Montreal Opera, and Florentine Opera in Milwaukee. In Europe he has worked with the Ensemble Intercotemporain, Klangforum Wien, Budapest Symphony, and Hungarian Radio Orchestra to great acclaim.
Born in Budapest the son of renowned soprano Vernoika Kincses, Gregory Vajda studied conducting at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music, and was a pupil of well-known composer and conductor, Peter Eötvös. He is also an accomplished clarinetist and composer.
