Symphony selects new conductor
After a yearlong search, the Butler County Symphony Association board has chosen Matthew Kraemer as the new music director and conductor for the symphony.
At its annual meeting Tuesday night, the board approved Kraemer, who was the selection of the search committee led by Bryan Stevenson, board treasurer.
“He was the overwhelming choice of the committee and of the members of the orchestra,” said Stevenson, who has a master’s in conducting himself.
Kraemer replaces the previous conductor, Elisabeth Heath Charles, who led the orchestra for 14 seasons, the group’s longest-tenured conductor.
The new leader said he decided to take the job because of the orchestra itself.
“I met so many people connected to the orchestra, wanting it to thrive, and not just the orchestra but the whole community,” Kraemer said. “It’s a great artistic community.”
Kraemer is associate conductor with the Buffalo (N.Y.) Philharmonic Orchestra, a position he will continue. He also will appear as guest conductor with other orchestras this coming season.
