CONTACT: Nan Schwetman, Anne Lasseigne Tiedt at (512) 476-6064 or 1-888-4-MAESTRO (toll free)

AUSTIN SYMPHONY NAMES PETER BAY
MUSIC DIRECTOR/CONDUCTOR;
TIMOTHY MUFFITT ELEVATED TO ASSOCIATE CONDUCTOR

A two-year international search has culminated in the naming of Peter Bay to the post of Music Director and Conductor of the Austin Symphony Orchestra, beginning in January. The ASO has simultaneously promoted Assistant Conductor Timothy Muffitt to Associate Conductor. Muffitt continues in his position as Music Director of the University of Texas Orchestras. Joe Long, Austin Symphony Board President and Search Committee Co-Chair, says of Bay’s selection, "We look forward to an exciting series of concerts under the direction of Peter Bay as the Austin Symphony’s new Music Director. Mr. Bay is an outstanding young American conductor who will bring a new sense of direction and commitment to the Austin Symphony both in program and in performance."

Peter Bay’s first appearance with the Austin Symphony as Music Director will be as conductor of the orchestra’s Classical Series performances with pianist Peter Nero on February 20 and 21. The energetic, articulate and outgoing Bay promises to be a dynamic presence in the "Live Music Capital of the World." Looking forward to his tenure with the Austin Symphony, he plans to become an integral part of the Austin and Central Texas community. "I’m very pleased and honored to be selected as the Music Director of the Austin Symphony, and at the same time humbled by the challenges I’ll face in working with a new orchestra. I look forward to a wonderful time making lots of music and trying some new things with the Austin Symphony."

Currently serving as Music Director of the Erie Philharmonic in Pennsylvania and Principal Guest Conductor of New York’s Rochester Philharmonic, Maestro Bay is also Music Director of the Britt Festivals Orchestra in Medford, Oregon. His musical credentials are extensive: he has been associated with the Rochester Philharmonic since its 1987-88 season, serving as Assistant Conductor, Associate Conductor, Conductor-in-Residence, and Music Advisor. He conducted the RPO in the world premiere of Aaron Copland’s Suite from the film "The Heiress" and the U. S. premiere of Benjamin Britten’s "Concerto Movement for Clarinet and Orchestra." As Resident Conductor of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Mr. Bay led the orchestra in numerous subscription concerts and on tours through eight states.

A native of Washington, D. C., Mr. Bay is a graduate of the University of Maryland and the Peabody Institute. In 1994 he was one of two conductors selected to participate in the Leonard Bernstein American Conductors Program. He was also the first prize winner in the 1987 Leopold Stokowski Competition sponsored by the American Symphony Orchestra
League.

As Associate Conductor, Timothy Muffitt will be responsible for the artistic development and direction of the orchestra’s summer and Pops concerts. He joined the Austin Symphony as Assistant Conductor in 1995. He is also a frequent guest conductor with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra in New Orleans and conducts its highly successful Casual Classics series, now in its fourth season. Muffitt, a Connecticut native, received his conducting training at Eastman School of Music,
where he earned the Doctor of Musical Arts degree. Before joining the University of Texas faculty, he was Director of Orchestral Activities at Louisiana State University.

The Austin Symphony Search Committee was co-chaired by Joe Long, President of the ASO Board of Directors, and ASO Board Member Anne Byrd Nalle. Committee members included board members Andrea Bryant, Gilbert Martinez, Jane Parker, Jane Sibley, Sylvia Spertus, Rusty Tally and Mollie Tower and orchestra musicians Vincent Frittelli, Liz Castaño and Paula Wright. For more information and interview requests, contact Nan Schwetman or Anne Lasseigne Tiedt at the Austin Symphony, 476-6064 or 1-888-4-MAESTRO (toll-free).

Peter Bay Bio

Peter Bay Fact Sheet