Definitely Not the Symphony (DNTS) is looking for a new conductor.
Jan Gomersall, who has been with the orchestra since its creation 11 years ago, is retiring and Liam Payne, who started playing with the orchestra when he was in junior high school and has co-conducted for the past three and a half years, is planning to pursue graduate studies off-Island.
They will both be leaving the orchestra at the end of June this year.
The group is looking for someone who has the patience to work with a large ensemble – a group of musicians who span the spectrum of diversity, Payne says.
“We have people who have not been playing for very long. We also have people who have been playing for leisure and, in some cases, professionally.”
Therefore, the person would need to have the patience necessary to work with people with a range of talents.
“They also need to teach people and be able to adapt to the different paces that people need.”
Jenny Likely plays French horn with Definitely Not the Symphony, a group she started 11 years ago.
After starting small, the group has between 30 and 35 members.
“When we started out, we had tin whistles and recorders. Now we have basically all the instruments you get in an orchestra,” says Likely.
And seeing the growth in the group, Likely definitely wants to keep it going.
“We polled the group, and they definitely want to see it continue next year.”
The deadline for expressions of interest in the music director/conductor position is March 31 and may be submitted to Chris at [email protected]
