Meet the Finalists
The Illinois Symphony Orchestra (ISO) announces four finalists in its music director search who will lead the ISO during the 2023-2024 season. The finalists are: Yaniv Dinur, Music Director of the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra and Resident Conductor of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra; Taichi Fukumura, Assistant Conductor of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra; Tania Miller, Music Director Emerita of Canada’s Victoria Symphony and interim Principal Conductor of the Rhode Island Philharmonic; and Naomi Woo, Artistic Partner, Orchestre Metropolitan, Montreal. The search process is scheduled to culminate with the appointment of the ISO’s next music director in the spring of 2024.
The finalists were chosen through an extensive search process, which began in January 2023. Led by co-chairs Daniel Brownstone, M.D. of Bloomington, IL and Dr. Patricia Rushing of Springfield, IL, the search committee is comprised of ISO musicians, board members and community leaders from throughout central Illinois. Ken Lam, the ISO’s Artistic Advisor and former Music Director advised the committee.
Co-chair Daniel Brownstone said, “We were impressed by the diverse pool of candidates who applied for our Music Director position. After an intense review process, the search committee identified this impressive slate of finalists. I am thrilled at the prospect of what next season will bring!” Co-Chair Patricia Rushing added, “The members of the search committee unanimously favored the finalists, inclusive of musicians of the ISO. We look forward to our central Illinois communities welcoming these exceptional candidates, who will not only lead the orchestra but will also be actively involved in community appearances, special events and education programs in both Bloomington/Normal and Springfield as part of the selection process.” Amanda Hudnall, Second Clarinetist and Search Committee member said, “This upcoming season will be a treat with the opportunity to experience these four finalists’ unique musical personalities on the podium!”