June 18, 2014—The Winston-Salem Symphony today announced the engagement of Mr. Stephen Mulligan as its new Assistant Conductor effective August, 2014.
Mr. Mulligan was selected from a very competitive field of nearly 100 worldwide applicants. One of four outstanding finalists to visit Winston-Salem, his final audition included conducting the Winston-Salem Symphony, conducting the most advanced Youth Orchestras Program ensemble, the Winston-Salem Symphony Youth Symphony, participation in a donor reception, and assorted interviews.
Of his appointment, Maestro Robert Moody said, “I am so thrilled to welcome Stephen to the artistic staff of our Winston-Salem Symphony! He brings enthusiasm, energy, and incredible talent to the Symphony, the Youth Symphony, and to our community. I am immensely grateful to the Search Committee of Winston-Salem Symphony musicians, board members, staff and Youth Orchestras parents, who joined me in narrowing the field of 96 applicants to a number of very strong semi-finalist and finalist candidates. That process led the committee to naming Maestro Mulligan as our overwhelming choice for the position. Stephen will “hit the ground running” when he joins us in August, and I look forward to much great music with him in our future!”
Mr. Mulligan shared, “I am truly honored and excited to be joining the Winston-Salem Symphony. I have been so inspired by the warmth and enthusiasm of the entire community, and I cannot wait to move to Winston-Salem, connect with everyone, and share great music together.”
Mr. Mulligan is presently in his second season as a Conducting Fellow at the American Academy of Conducting at Aspen, where he has studied with Robert Spano, Larry Rachleff, Nicholas McGegan and Federico Cortese. He Co-Founded and is Music Director of the Occasional Symphony in Baltimore, Maryland, where he also served as Chamber/Assistant Conductor for the Hopkins Symphony Orchestra of Johns Hopkins University.
Mr. Mulligan has led performances by diverse ensembles including the São Paulo State Symphony, Peabody Symphony Orchestra, Peabody Opera Theater, Peabody Mozart Ensemble, and the Yale Symphony Orchestra. He has also served as cover conductor for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, and the Aspen Chamber Symphony, and as Assistant Conductor for operatic productions including the Baltimore Lyric Opera’s production of Verdi’s Rigoletto, the Peabody Opera Theatre’s production of Mozart’s Don Giovanni, and Morgan State University Opera’s production of Gershwin’s Porgy & Bess.
Under the teaching of Marin Alsop, Gustav Meier, and Markand Thakar, Mr. Mulligan received his Master’s Degree at the Peabody Institute. He received additional professional training as a Fellowship Student at the Campos do Jordão Winter Festival in Brazil under the tutelage of Marin Alsop and Giancarlo Guerrero, and as a student at the Pierre Monteux School where he studied with Michael Jinbo. Mr. Mulligan graduated cum laude from Yale University where he was awarded the Wrexham Prize for excellence in performance for violin and conducting. He grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, studying violin with his father Gregory Mulligan, former concertmaster of the San Antonio Symphony and current first violinist with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.
Mr. Mulligan joins the staff of the Winston-Salem Symphony in August, 2014 and upon can be reached at smulligan@wssymphony.org or at 336-725-1035, extension 209.
