This weekend will be Bernard "Bernie" Rubenstein's final performances with the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra, but he will stay on as an artistic advisor.
While Rubenstein hasn't participated in the selection process, he says the organization should look for, "an outstanding musician and someone to continue the fine work of the orchestra and to raise it to the next level. Someone with strong personality, useful energy (who could) devote themselves to the community issues."
"I think the expectations are really high. He certainly leaves big shoes to fill," Coates says. "It's a time of looking forward as well as saying goodbye."
Five finalists have been selected for the role of the FMSO's next musical director. Each will conduct a Masterworks week-end of concerts in the 2012-'13 season.
Below are the finalists, with the dates of their performances and the lineup.
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George Hanson
Sept. 29 & 30
Bio: Now conducting the Tucson (Ariz.) Symphony and Sunriver Music Festival in Oregon, symphony followers may re-member the Concordia alum as the son of former FMSO conductor Robert Hanson.
Songs: "Dance of the Tumblers" by Rimsky-Korsakov; "Piano Concerto No. 1," Tchaikovsky; "Symphony No. 5," Shosta-kovich
Christopher Zimmerman
Nov. 10 & 11
Bio: Currently conducting the Illinois Philharmonic as well as the Toronto Philharmonia.
Songs: "Finlandia," Sibelius; Bodorova's "Concerto of the Flowers" for violin (this will be a regional premiere); "Introduc-tion & Rondo Capriccioso for violin," Saint-Saens; "Symphony No. 5," Tchaikovsky
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David Itkin
January 19 & 20
Bio: Conductor of the Abilene (Texas) Philharmonic Orchestra, the Las Vegas Philharmonic and music director/director of orchestral studies for the University of North Texas Symphony Orchestra.
Songs: "Three Dances" for "On the Town," Bernstein; "Concerto No. 1 for Cello and Orchestra," Shostakovich; "Sympho-ny No. 4," Brahms.
Darryl One
March 16 & 17
Bio: Conducting at the Victoria (Texas) Symphony Orchestra
Songs: "Savannah River Holiday Overture," Ron Nelson; "Violin Concerto No. 2," Bruch; "Overture to "La Scala di Seta," Rossini; "Enigma Variations," Elgar
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Kelly Corcoran
April 20 & 21
Bio: Associate Conductor with the Nashville (Tenn.) Symphony and New York Summer Music Festival.
Songs: "Suite No. 4 (Mozartiana), Tchaikovsky; "Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini," Rachmaninoff; "Symphony No. 5," Prokofiev
