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A Special Edition Of Connections With The New RPO Music Director

The newly appointed Music Director of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Ward Stare, will be a guest on Connections on WXXI  on Friday.

Stare is a Pittsford native who has earned international accolades as a conductor, and he’s returning to his hometown to become the RPO’s 12th Music Director in its 91 years.

The 31 year old will be the youngest conductor ever for the RPO. His recent work included conducting with the Lyric Opera of Chicago. He also served as resident conductor of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra from 2008 to 2012.

Stare began studying trombone at the age of 9 and was accepted into the Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra at the age of 11.

When he was 18, he was appointed principal trombonist at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Stare will open the RPO’s 2014-15 season with a special concert at the Eastman Theatre’s Kodak Hall featuring guest soloist Midori.

On Connections, with hosts Brenda Tremblay of  Classical 91.5, & Frank Cegelski, Stare will be joined by Mark Kellogg,  Principal Trombone for the RPO who was also part of the search committee that chose the new music director.

Tune in from  Noon to 1:00 p.m.  this Friday, August  1, on AM 1370 WXXI,  89.5 WEOS and online at wxxinews.org

Randy Gorbman is WXXI's director of news and public affairs. Randy manages the day-to-day operations of WXXI News on radio, television, and online.