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Dr. Glenn Block Selected as New
SVYS Music Director and Conductor
The Board of Directors of the Sangamon Valley Youth Symphony has selected Dr. Glenn Block as the Music Director of the SVYS. Dr. Block succeeds the previous Music Director, Richard Haglund, who led the SVYS for eight seasons. This is Dr. Block’s second term as Music Director of the Sangamon Valley Youth Symphony. He previously led the SVYS from 1999 to 2002.
Dr. Block is currently in his 22nd year as Professor of Conducting and Director or Orchestras and Opera at Illinois State University. In 2007, Dr. Block concluded his 23rd year as Music Director of the Kansas City Youth Symphony. During his tenure, the symphony greatly expanded and garnered national and international recognition. Under the direction of Dr. Block, the Kansas City Youth Symphony toured in Spain, Canada, Italy, Hungary, Austria and the Czech Republic. The symphony also toured in the United States, including a trip to New York City's Carnegie Hall in 1996.
Dr. Block has also served on the conducting staff at the prestigious Interlochen National Music Camp and Interlochen Arts Academy from 1976 to 1983. He received a Bachelor of Music from the highly regarded Eastman School of Music. He received his Masters and Doctorate from the University of California at San Diego.
Peter Wise, President of the Sangamon Valley Youth Symphony Board, states that the Board conducted a nation-wide search for the new Music Director, and even had international interest in the position. Wise believes that the Springfield area is extremely fortunate to have Dr. Block on the podium. Wise indicated that during the selection process Dr. Block was described as, “exciting, dynamic and demanding, but with the understanding that a gentle and patient hand needs to be in place at all times.”
Dr. Block states, "I am honored to take the helm of the wonderful program in Springfield. Richard Haglund worked tirelessly to expand the various components of the Sangamon Valley Youth Symphony, and I hope to take the program to the next level of state and national prominence during my tenure! I look forward to working with the talented musicians, parents, administrative team and Board of Directors."
Aaron Kaplan Appointed to Conduct
SVYS Preparatory Orchestra
The new conductor of the SVYS Preparatory Orchestra is Aaron Kaplan. He graduated with honors in both cello performance and music education from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and is currently pursuing a masters degree at the U of I in orchestral conducting.
Mr. Kaplan’s conducting experience, in addition to his current duties at the U of I, includes a variety of musical theater performances, chamber orchestras and symphonies. He served as a guest conductor for the Illini Strings and as conductor and music director of the U of I Cello Choir.
His teaching experience includes junior high music and orchestra in Mt. Prospect, IL, the Chicago Suzuki Institute, and the Illinois Summer Youth Music Program. At the high school level he was a student teacher of orchestra at New Trier High School in Willamette, IL, and conducted cello sectionals and chamber groups at Urbana High School. Mr. Kaplan also served as a clinician at the Allerton String Chamber Music Symposium.
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