Michael Christie's Contract
Extended to 2015

Extension Affords Ten Years of Artistic Growth and Continued Institutional Momentum for The Phoenix Symphony

(PHOENIX-February 28, 2008) - The Phoenix Symphony Association Board of Directors announced today it has entered into a five-year contract extension with Virginia G. Piper Music Director Michael Christie keeping the energetic and visionary conductor performing before Phoenix audiences through 2015.  The extension will allow Christie to continue his artistic leadership in fulfillment of the Phoenix Symphony's institutional vision. 

"The purpose of the Phoenix Symphony is to evoke a passion for orchestral music within the entire community, and we want to see Michael continue his work and progress toward fulfillment of our institutional vision which include the ambitious goals of becoming America's model 21^st century orchestra and one of the great orchestras of the West," remarks Dr. Edwin H. Wolf, Phoenix Symphony Association Chairman of the Board. "He has made a tremendous impact in Phoenix as both an artistic and community leader here in the Valley, and the orchestra has never sounded better under his leadership. We are giving concerts that are imaginative and inspiring while selling more seats than ever before, and this is a testament to Michael's leadership on the podium" 

Head of the Music Director Contract Extension Task Force, Board Chair Emeritus Gerald W, Murphy, submitted a written recommendation to the board at today's association meeting highlighting the significant progress made by Christie in the first two and a half years as Music Director including several new artistic initiatives along with Michael's ability to connect with donors. Further, Murphy noted that the type of institutional progress desired by the association requires at least a ten year stint as music director. "I have studied the tenure of music directors at great orchestras such as Cleveland, Philadelphia and

"Michael Christie has reinvigorated this entire organization with his innovative programs and initiatives since arriving in 2005," said Maryellen Gleason, Phoenix Symphony President and CEO. "His continued presence as artistic leader of the orchestra will only help further our already strong institutional and artistic successes."

"My tenure with this organization has been extremely rewarding, and I am delighted to extend my relationship with The Phoenix Symphony," said Michael Christie. "It is a pleasure to be a part of such an exceptional organization where the musicians, staff, board and patrons continually inspire and inform this community about our passion for symphonic music. The Phoenix Symphony has a very promising future, and I'm pleased to be part of it."

Christie originally signed a five-year contract in December of 2004 to become The Phoenix Symphony's tenth Music Director in September 2005. The current contract will allow for Christie to remain as the Virginia G. Piper Music Director until 2015. During his tenure with The Phoenix Symphony, he has introduced several innovative programs including the presentation of operas in concert format each season, the unique Baroque Initiative using authentic performance techniques to share sounds from centuries ago with today's audiences, and the Spotlight Composers Initiative giving audiences a better understanding of three featured composers each season. Christie has also transformed the concert experience introducing his patented Keeping Score, a real time guide for audience members to learn about music as they listen, as well as his Intermission Insights and Post-Concert Discussions. Under his leadership, the Symphony has also increased its education and community engagement programs reaching over 50,000 students in 35 cities annually. 

Born in

#   #   #

About The Phoenix Symphony: Celebrating its 60th Anniversary Season, The Phoenix Symphony has been proudly serving the citizens of the Phoenix metropolitan area and Arizona since 1947. What began as an occasional group of musicians performing a handful of concerts each year (in a city of fewer than 100,000 people) today serves more than 300,000 people annually, with 275 concerts and presentations throughout the greater Phoenix area and beyond. 

Under the artistic leadership of Michael Christie as the Virginia G. Piper Music Director and administrative leadership of President Maryellen H. Gleason, the orchestra is overseen by the non-profit Phoenix Symphony Association under Board Chairman Ed Wolf.

The 76-member Phoenix Symphony presents an annual season from September through the beginning of June, featuring full-length Classical and Pops concerts at Sym­phony Hall in downtown Phoenix, along with a variety of symphonic and community performances in Mesa, Prescott, Scottsdale and throughout central Arizona.  The Symphony performs for more than 50,000 students and children, helping to introduce music to new generations through a variety of education and youth-engagement programs.