Following an intensive search process which included 26 applicants from the U.S. and two foreign countries, 11 of whom hold doctoral degrees; Alaska Youth Orchestras (AYO) Board of Directors have approved the Search Committee’s recommendation to hire Maestro Bruce Wood, as AYO’s Music Director, effective July 1, 2021.
Wood holds a Ph.D. in music education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and was the founding Music Director of the Youth Orchestras of Lubbock, serving the organization for 12 years. He studied both cello and voice in his baccalaureate program. Wood studied conducting with Catherine Comet, Robert Fountain and David Becker of the University of Wisconsin, studied cello with Peter Howard of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, and studied voice with Hugh Givens and Karl Dent. His principal mentor in the field of music education was Gerald Olson at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Throughout his career, Wood has conducted numerous professional and semi-professional ensembles. Since moving to Alaska in 2014, Wood has conducted the Community Messiah performances and led conducting workshops, while serving as the Anchorage School District Director of Fine Arts, a position that he will retire from on June 30, 2021. In addition to his musical experience, Wood has taught numerous workshops, has written a wide variety of published research and scholarly articles, and has been a featured presenter at several nationwide conferences on music education and performance.
“I am thrilled to be joining the AYO family,” Wood said. “Youth orchestras have had a great influence on me, starting as a 11-year-old cellist, maturing through middle and high school ensembles, and then as an adult; sometimes playing, more often conducting. Becoming AYO’s Music Director is the continuation of a passion that I’ve had nearly my entire life. The opportunity to grow and expand AYO with the support of the Board and alongside Executive Director Denise Brown-Chythlook is very exciting to me.”
The search process was guided by current AYO Board President Jennifer Bundy-Cobb and incoming AYO Board President Josie Wilson. The remainder of the committee included AYO coaches, professional musicians, and AYO staff. The search was slightly altered due to COVID limitations, but still provided a robust vetting and interview process, as well as extensive evaluation of candidates conducting and educational skills.
“The search committee had a wealth of applicants to choose from,” said Bundy-Cobb. “We considered a wide variety of factors throughout the process. The committee was clear that we needed an expert conductor who was also an experienced educator. Bruce embodies both and so much more.”
Wilson added, “We are confident we made the right decision for AYO’s needs now and in the near future.”
AYO has served the youth of Southcentral Alaska for more than 65 years with a storied list of Music Directors. Linn Weeda, AYO’s retiring Music Director has led the artistic direction of AYO for the past 31 years.
“Linn Weeda is a hard act to follow,” said AYO Executive Director Denise Brown-Chythlook, “but I have full confidence that Bruce is up to the task. It was so important that AYO find a music director who can build on our foundation to help us grow and expand. Throughout the next few years we plan to increase the accessibility of music education and performance for Southcentral Alaskan youth, no matter their socio-economic status. With Bruce on our team, that kind of growth is possible, and it can be done on a solid educational foundation.”
Wood was formally announced to the musicians of Alaska Youth Orchestras on April 26, during a regular rehearsal. He will conduct his debut concert in the fall of 2021 which will feature the Anchorage Youth Symphony’s 2021-2022 season musicians. Auditions are currently open to youth between the ages of 13 and 21 for seats in the 2021-2022 season.