BRUCE KNOWLES SELECTED AS NEW BHSO CONDUCTOR

Black Hills (May 14, 2009) - Bruce Knowles has been selected as the new conductor of the Black Hills Symphony Orchestra from a field of seven candidates.  Mr. Knowles served as the assistant conductor of the orchestra from 2000 - 2004 and as associate conductor from 2004 - 2008.

Mr. Knowles has directed the Rapid City Central High School Orchestras since 1982, during which time the Central orchestra and chamber orchestra have achieved regional and national acclaim, impressing audiences with their performances at the 2008 American String Teachers National Conference; 2004 Midwest Clinic; 2003 American String Teachers National Conference; 2002 Music Maestro Festival, at which the orchestra earned a gold medal; 1998 Nebraska String Educators Conference; and numerous performances at the South Dakota Music Educators Conference.  In recognition of his conducting skills, Mr. Knowles was invited to conduct the Colorado All-State Orchestra in 2008.  Mr. Knowles earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from South Dakota State University and a Master of Arts degree from Western Illinois University.

The search for a new conductor followed the retirement of long-time orchestra conductor Jack Knowlesafter the 2007 – 2008 concert season.  In 2005, in anticipation of his retirement, a task force consisting of six orchestra members and three orchestra board members developed a process for selecting the orchestra's next conductor.  In 2008, in accordance with the recommendation of the task force, the orchestra's board of directors appointed a search committee composed of representatives from the orchestra, the orchestra's board of directors, and the Symphony League, as well as a continuing concert sponsor and a long-time season ticket holder.  The board directed that the search committee engage in a local and regional search, again following the recommendation of the task force.  In directing a local and regional search, the board acknowledged the talent in this area, as well as the expense associated with conducting a national search.

The two finalists for the position, Curtis Peacock and Bruce Knowles, each conducted the orchestra at separate audition concerts during the 2008-2009 concert season.  Members of the orchestra and the audience evaluated each finalist by submitting evaluation forms after the audition concerts.  Each finalist was then asked identical questions during interviews by the search committee.  By a majority vote, the search committee recommended that Bruce Knowles be selected as the next conductor.  The board of directors considered the committee's recommendation at its meeting on May 7.  The conductor evaluations submitted by orchestra members were of particular interest to the board.  After discussion and consideration, the board voted to accept the search committee's recommendation and selected Bruce Knowles as the next conductor of the Black Hills Symphony Orchestra.  Mr. Knowles will serve as conductor under the terms of an annual contract, which is subject to review by the board of directors at the end of each concert season.

Jack Knowles, who currently serves as Music Director, was appointed Conductor Emeritus at the beginning of the 2008-2009 season.

The Black Hills Symphony Orchestra begins its 75^th season on October 24, 2009, in the Rapid City Rushmore Plaza Civic Center Theatre.  For more information about the orchestra, visit the orchestra's Web site at www.bhsymphony.org.