The Phoenix Symphony is introducing changes to its programming and leadership search as it looks to engage a broader audience and strengthen its role in the community. According to Peter Kjome, President of The Phoenix Symphony, feedback from the public has highlighted a strong interest in educational initiatives, more daytime performances, and shorter concert formats.
In response, the symphony is bringing back its Coffee Classics series. These concerts will be held at 11 a.m. on Fridays at Symphony Hall and will last about 90 minutes without intermission. The events will feature conversations with conductors and musicians, along with complimentary coffee for attendees.
Kjome stated, “And one of the things that we heard is there’s a lot of interest in education. There’s a lot of interest in more daytime performances and somewhat shorter formats. And that led to the return of Coffee Classics.” He added, “We used to have a series called Coffee Classics and this is going to be a very inspiring evolution of Coffee Classics. Those will be about 90 minutes without intermission featuring a lot of conversation with the conductor and musicians. And of course, as implied by the name, there will be complimentary coffee in the lobby.”
He emphasized that one goal for the symphony is to foster connections among people through music: “One of the symphony’s goals…is to bring people together and ‘create connection through musical experiences.’”
While these program changes are underway, The Phoenix Symphony continues its search for a new music director following Tito Muñoz’s announcement in early 2023 that he would step down after ten years but remain through the end of the 2023-24 season.
Kjome described this process as crucial: “The choice of the music director is one of the most important decisions an orchestra can make.” He explained that like other orchestras nationwide, their selection process involves inviting candidates to conduct concerts so both parties can get acquainted: “Our search is a multiyear process partly because we are inviting conductors to come and lead concerts on the stage of Symphony Hall so we can get to know those conductors, their musicianship and their leadership, but also so they can get to know us.”
The symphony seeks not only artistic excellence but also someone committed to community engagement: “We want to make sure that we have someone who is passionate about our mission, not only in performing exceptional concerts on the stage of Symphony Hall, but also in our important work outside of the concert hall and in the community. It is necessary but not sufficient for our next leader to be a brilliant artist.”
Kjome noted that Phoenix’s outreach efforts are recognized nationally: “We’ve seen in response from colleagues and other orchestras that Phoenix is really being increasingly looked at as a national model for what the modern symphony can be for its community.”
Details about finalists for music director have not been released publicly; however, Kjome expressed optimism about progress made since starting with over 100 candidates: “We know that it’s headed toward what’s going to be a really exciting and successful conclusion.”
This season opens with Paolo Bortolameolli—associate conductor at LA Philharmonic—returning as guest conductor. Kjome said bringing back recent guest conductors helps deepen relationships as part of finding someone aligned with their mission: “It’s all part of these continuing conversations to find that person who just has a deep passion about our mission on and off the stage.”
Additionally, The Phoenix Symphony announced scheduled maintenance affecting ticket sales systems from May 1 at 9 p.m. until May 2 at 6 a.m., apologizing for any inconvenience caused during this period.
