South Kansas Symphony has named a new conductor and is operating under a new management format independent from Southwestern College leading into the Fall 2023-Spring 2024 concert season, according to a news release from the ensemble.
“The South Kansas Symphony has operated under the umbrella of Southwestern College’s Performing Arts Department since the 1990s, with former versions of the ensemble being connected to the college dating back to the late 1800s,” the news release stated. “Following the elimination of the college’s performing arts degree programs and select faculty member positions among other departmental cuts in Fall 2022, the South Kansas Symphony Advisory Board elected to incorporate as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit entity.
“The ensemble is now operating independently from the college, but will maintain a working partnership. The symphony’s advisory board transitioned to a nine-member working board of directors serving as the ensemble’s governing body. Five board members are current symphony musicians; four members are community members not currently performing with the symphony.”
Southwestern College has been accommodating to the recent switch in operations and is allowing for the symphony’s continued use of Richardson Performing Arts Center, alternate performance/rehearsal facilities, the music library, instruments, stage equipment, and student/staff support, the news release said.
“The symphony is fortunate to have a strong support system, not only through our musicians, patrons, and donors, but from Southwestern College. With this in mind, we are looking forward to this next chapter,” South Kansas Symphony, Inc., Board President John Baker said. “Our community’s continued support will be vital in upholding the rich legacy of symphonic music in Winfield.”
Winfield’s Legacy Regional Community Foundation is handling all financial needs of the symphony, including incoming donations, contract salaries, income/expenses, and additional needs. Find more information about Legacy at www.legacyregionalfoundation.org.
Dr. Michael Christensen is the new conductor.
Christensen joins the ensemble following the departure of Dr. Amber Peterson, who served nine years as the symphony’s conductor and Associate Professor of Music and Kilmer Endowed Chair of Strings Education at Southwestern College prior to the departmental cuts.
Christensen, Director of Instrumental Music at Cowley College in Ark City, is contracted through SKS, Inc. and will not take on teaching responsibilities at Southwestern College.
Prior to coming to the Cowley County area in 2019, Christensen held faculty appointments at Coffeyville Community College and The University of Texas at Brownsville.
He received his education at the University of Oklahoma and Texas Tech University, earning his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in 2015. He currently resides in Ark City.
When he is not teaching or directing ensembles, he is often hiking nearby nature trails or spending time with friends in Winfield, the news release said.
A public meet and greet will be held on Sunday, Aug. 13 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at College Hill Coffee in Winfield. Symphony supporters, donors, musicians, and friends are invited to join the SKS board at the come and go reception to get to know Dr. Christensen ahead of the upcoming concert season.
The symphony will hold its first concert of the regular season on Sunday, Oct. 15 at 6 p.m. in Richardson Performing Arts Center.
Additional concerts will take place on Dec. 3, March 3, and April 28, all at 3 p.m. in RPAC. Follow the South Kansas Symphony Facebook page to stay up to date on upcoming performances, opportunities to support the symphony.
About South Kansas Symphony, Inc.
South Kansas Symphony, Inc. is a not-for-profit symphony orchestra located in Winfield, KS. The symphony performs four regular season concerts each year in Richardson Performing Arts Center at Southwestern College.
Governed by a nine-member volunteer board along with a conductor, the symphony invites local amateur and semi-professional musicians to take part in providing low-cost, live music opportunities for Winfield and the South Central Kansas region.
