{"id":4176,"date":"2023-04-17T09:06:57","date_gmt":"2023-04-17T13:06:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/?post_type=news&p=4176"},"modified":"2023-04-17T18:30:22","modified_gmt":"2023-04-17T22:30:22","slug":"2023-04-17batontransfer","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/news\/2023-04-17batontransfer\/","title":{"rendered":"H-T: BSO’s Alejandro Gomez Guillen passes baton to Isaac Terceros"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

https:\/\/www.heraldtimesonline.com\/story\/entertainment\/local\/2023\/04\/17\/bloomington-symphony-orchestras-alejandro-guillen-conducts-last-concert\/70107343007\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Connie Shakalis<\/strong> Special to the H-T
Published 5:22 a.m. ET April 17, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Alejandro
ALejandro Gomez Guillen will conduct his ast concert with the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra on May 14. Courtesy Photo Provided By Alejandro Guillen<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Bloomington Symphony Orchestra<\/a>‘s last concert with artistic director Alejandro Gomez Guillen conducting is May 14 at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater<\/a>. Next, Guillen, a conductor and violinist, heads for the Omaha Symphony<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, Bloomington Symphony Orchestra has been searching for a permanent conductor and hired Isaac Terceros<\/a> as interim conductor for the 2023-24 season. Terceros, pursuing a Ph.D. in conducting at Indiana University, comes  from Bolivia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interim conductor to take over Bloomington Symphony Orchestra<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Guillen is passing the baton to competent hands. Terceros is founder and music director of Bolivia’s Santa Cruz Philharmonic<\/a> and assistant conductor in symphonic and operatic productions at IU’s Jacobs School of Music<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Isaac
Isaac Terceros conducts the Bloomington Symphonby Orchestra. He will be the interim conductor for the 2023-24 season. Courtesy Photo Provided By BSO<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

“I have a Hebrew name (Isaac), which means ‘the one who laughs or rejoices,'” Terceros said in an email, “and I try to always represent that.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He finds happiness in both places, “although apparently Santa Cruz and Bloomington do not have much in common. I am beyond excited for the opportunity to work with a group of musicians that have a deep passion and commitment to music and have a strong interest in innovation and cultural development in both cities.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A cultural difference between the U.S. and Bolivia, he said, is that Santa Cruz doesn’t have a long tradition of classical music. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Therefore, I need to think of strategies to educate and explain why it is important that pieces from the core symphonic canon be performed and experienced by the (Bolivian) audience.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Bloomington, however, many are familiar with works from renowned composers. In the US, he said musicians strive for programs that are more inclusive and diverse, incorporating works from living composers, women and other, less represented authors.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While Terceros was studying at the Jacobs School, Guillen invited him to substitute conduct selected Bloomington Symphony Orchestra rehearsals. Terceros was promptly attracted to the artists’ energy and love for music. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I am certainly thrilled for the opportunity to connect with them for a longer period of time.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Terceros, making music, and orchestras in particular, are social experiences, partially because they value each member.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of Terceros’ honors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In 2019, Terceros won the Bolivia Outstanding Young Person Award, sponsored by Junior Chamber International. The organization honors young people who excel in their fields, exemplify the best attributes of the world’s young people, and serve as examples of entrepreneurial and ethical leadership. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A year before that he received the same award at the city level for the city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra in recognition of his work with the Santa Cruz Philharmonic and other cultural projects he led.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Terceros pondered a career, he landed on three options: music, journalism and sociology. Conducting music won, because he recognized the need his city had for conductors. Very young, he moved to Brazil to pursue undergraduate studies in conducting, because this was not an option in Bolivia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does Terceros look for in musicians?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

He believes passion, expression and energy are how people show a love of music and can communicate something meaningful. He looks, too, for creativity, innovation and courage to do something new.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I love breaking paradigms and surprising the audience with something that they never experienced before.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What else moves Terceros?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Isaac
Isaac Terceros will be taking over as interim conductor of the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra for it’s 2023-24 season. Courtesy Photo Provided by BSO<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

“Certainty, my family is the reason for much of my personal happiness today. I thank my beautiful wife, Roxanne, for being a constant support for my musical endeavors and for taking care of our two lovely daughters, Annelise (2 years old) and Juliet (9 months old). They really make me smile every day!”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“On the other hand, it has made me very happy to see this lifelong dream of conducting professionally become a reality, too.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also enjoys playing piano, his first instrument, as well as the flute.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The piano connected me to music, and the flute was the bridge to get into the orchestra world.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Terceros thanks Maestro Guillen<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

“I would like to say to Maestro Alejandro, thank you for introducing me to BSO and for the opportunity to serve this special unique orchestra. You have set the bar high! BSO will always welcome you back, and we wish you the best for your future endeavors.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conductor Alejandro Gomez Guillen will miss BSO<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Alejandro
Alejandro G\u00f3mez Guill\u00e9n leads the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra’s holiday concerts in 2019. Courtesy Photo Provided by BSO<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

“I will greatly miss making music with my BSO family as well as getting to share it with such loyal audiences in Bloomington, but I\u2019m also excited for the orchestra\u2019s renewed leadership and I\u2019m confident in its future.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Guillen said Terceros has been a wonderful collaborator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking back at his time with the BSO, Guillen reflected, saying, “I\u2019ve enjoyed our collaborations and the amazing relationships that have developed with fellow Bloomington arts organizations.” He mentioned, among others, Reimagining Opera for Kids<\/a>, Windfall Dancers<\/a>, Voces Nova<\/a>, IU’s Latin American Music Center<\/a> and IU’s Archives of African American Music and Culture<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A second highlight has been the chance to work with the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra, especially when including living composers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One moment that stands out was a performance of Mickey Tucker\u2019s Spiritual Collage, with Mickey hearing the piece roughly 30 years later, finally, live, tuning in via Zoom from Australia.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Mickey\u2019s reaction was incredibly moving.” Readers can view it on Youtube, for its remarkable spontaneous joy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mickey Tucker\u2019s Spiritual Collage was a product of a connection with the Archives of IU’s African American Music and Culture and its director Tyron Cooper. <\/p>\n\n\n\n