New youth orchestra director taking reins

By Roger McBain (Contact)
Friday, March 6, 2009

Eric Garcia, the director of orchestral activities at the University of Evansville, will be the next conductor for the Evansville Philharmonic Youth Orchestra.

Garcia will begin in the fall, taking the baton from Evansville Philharmonic Music Director Alfred Savia. The youth orchestra is made up of Tri-State musicians in grades 9-12.

Eric Garcia

Garcia joined UE's music faculty in 2007 after serving as orchestra director and professor of music theory at Saint Xavier University in Chicago. He was also assistant conductor of the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra in Elmhurst, Ill., and associate conductor of the Sherwood Conservatory of Music Symphony Orchestra in Chicago. Garcia also has conducted the Orchestra of St. Vincent's in Chicago and the North Shore Chamber Orchestra in Evanston, Ill.

He has a doctoral degree in musical arts and a master's degree in conducting from Northwestern University.

Garcia was among several candidates who conducted the youth orchestra in the final selection process.

"It took a fair amount of time and effort to find the person who would be the very best fit to lead the orchestra starting next fall," Savia said. "I have tremendous confidence that Maestro Garcia will build on the groundwork that has been laid and bring the youth orchestra to new artistic heights."

For more information about the Evansville Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and the middle school Youth Orchestra II, visit www.evansvillephilharmonic.org/student-programs/evansville-philharmonic-youth-orchestras.html or call the Philharmonic office at 425-5050.

http://www.courierpress.com/news/2009/mar/06/new-youth-orchestra-director-taking-reins/