Baltimore loses US conductor
UncategorizedStatement by New Yorker Markand Thakar:
‘It is with a heavy heart that I have made the difficult decision to resign as Music Director of the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, effective the end of the current season. The retirement of dear friend and colleague Executive Director Lockwood Hoehl has made for a bit of an awkward transition, particularly with regard to my beloved conducting programs.
‘Baltimore Chamber Orchestra has been central to my activities since I joined the organization in 2004. I am eternally and profoundly grateful to the trustees, donors, and audience members who have afforded me extraordinary musical opportunities, and I am honored and fortunate beyond words to have shared the stage with the exceptional musicians of BCO. I will miss them.
A wonderful man and fine musician – wishing Markand the best for whatever he undertakes next!
Which 6 people don’t wish me well? OY – the life of a conductor!
A wonderful person, a wonderful talent.
So many superlatives from a “New Yorker” (I believe that’s still in America):
A “heavy heart”, “dear friend and colleague”, “beloved conducting programs”, “eternally and profoundly grateful”, “extraordinary musical opportunities”, “honored and fortunate”, “exceptional musicians”.
You’d think that we just lost a President or Prime Minister. But congratulations anyway, Maestro!
Wow – I made Slipped Disk!
After 19 years it’s time. I’m not retiring, and not leaving Baltimore; in fact I am continuing full force with my extensive conductor training activities, many of which can be seen under the BCO banner at https://thebco.org/conducting/
The end of my statement: I am energized by the many new upcoming opportunities for sharing my musical skills and understandings. These include the post-pandemic resumption of my affiliation with Juan Corpas University in Bogotá, Colombia and our ambition to bring world-class conductor training to the Americas; along with my workshops in Sonoma and a debut appearance on the faculty of the Monteux Festival and School in Maine this summer.
And those BCO Conducting Programs – the in-person workshops and online courses – after the final BCO Summer Conducting Seminar this June they will continue as a separate entity…same programs, new name. Keep your eyes out. And drop those elbows!
Of course you are energized. I have witnessed your energy and musicality and found it profoundly satisfying. Good luck maestro and see you in Baltimore
Your neighbor in Virginia.