The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra has announced conductor Alexander Mickelthwate will be stepping down as Music Director at the end of the 2017–18 season. The news was made public during a board members meeting for musicians and staff on Monday.
Mickelthwate has accepted a position as Music Director of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, starting with the 2018-19 season. He will be taking over from Joel Levine.
“The Oklahoma City Philharmonic is recognized as one of the premier regional orchestras in the United States. This appointment marks a very significant step in an ongoing process of artistic development for Maestro Mickelthwate and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra,” the press release stated.
Born in Germany, Mickelthwate (46) was first appointed Assistant Conductor of the Atlanta Symphony in 2003. Between 2004 and 2006, he was appointed Assistant Conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and later promoted to Associate Conductor for the 2006–2007 season. He left the position at the end of the 2006–07 season after his appointment to the WSO.
Highlights during his 12 years in Winnipeg include conducting the WSO for a performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City in 2014. He was instrumental in developing one of Canada’s largest contemporary music festivals (Winnipeg New Music Festival). He also co-founded Sistema Winnipeg, an after-school music program devoted to providing music training to underprivileged children.
Mickelthwate said in a statement that he was grateful for his years in Winnipeg, and mentioned that he was proud to have “raised two hockey playing Canadian boys,” in the process.
“I will continue to think of myself as part of the WSO family for years to come. ”
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