WVSO Article - Maestro Grant Cooper’s Announcement

Maestro Grant Cooper, artistic director and conductor of the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra, has announced his retirement after fifteen years. He emotionally announced this news at a recent concert on September 19, 2015. “Margie and I have devoted more than a third of our careers to the WVSO and there is no orchestra we love more,” says Cooper. “But, there is a season for everything, and we felt that the time had come to find more time to spend with our expanding family and to explore other aspects of my musical imagination, particularly as a composer.”

To ensure a smooth transition, Cooper will be finishing this season and the next season as artistic director and conductor. During the 17th season, six guest conductors will be invited to conduct during concerts throughout the season. Once the position has been filled, Cooper will serve on a more limited basis.

The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra is one of West Virginia’s highest performing arts group and is currently in its 76th season. The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra is different than many other symphonies in the country. The orchestra has around 40 orchestral concerts per season. Twenty of those concerts are in Charleston while the others are performed throughout the state of West Virginia. The orchestra performs and presents a broad range of music including classical, pops, family, and chamber-music concerts. Education programs offered through the WVSO include Young People’s Concerts and String Educators which provide much of the string education instruction in Kanawha County. Another education program offered is the SCALE project which is a STEAM based in-school program that integrates music in the curriculum.

I had the privilege of interviewing Joe Tackett, the president of the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra, for this article.

Q: Did the announcement of Maestro Grant Cooper's departure come as a surprise or shock?

This season marks Maestro Cooper's 15th anniversary. We have been blessed to have him for such a long tenure. He will continue with us for the next few seasons, so his announcement gives us time to plan for a smooth transition.

Q: How has Maestro Grant Cooper changed/bettered the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra since he became conductor?

It is a different orchestra and institution because of Cooper's tenure. The orchestra musically is a much better ensemble (having played in the orchestra before Cooper's arrival, this is a personal observation). The WVSO has also built some incredible education initiatives under his direction that have grown the WVSO into a state wide education institution.

Q: What would you say is the most memorable piece or concert and why?

Last season we tried a "pay what you want" style concert and the results were tremendous. We had over 500 new ticket buyers, demonstrating there is a real desire to hear the orchestra in our community. It also reaffirmed our commitment to continue to raise funds to keep down ticket prices so the symphony can be available for everyone.

Q: What are the steps in place to ensure that a smooth transition occurs for the new phase of bringing in a new conductor?

We are forming a search committee made up of musicians, board members and others from the community to review resumes of conductors. Next season, 6 candidates will be invited to guest conduct the orchestra in concert and from those 6, the hope is one of them will be invited to be our next music director.

Q: What makes Maestro Grant Cooper unique as an individual and musician?

It is amazing when you meet that special kind of person who is passionate about their art and yet a genuine, down-to-earth person. That sums up Grant Cooper in a nutshell. While he is incredibly knowledgeable and intelligent, he can relate great music to anyone. I have witnessed him keep an auditorium full of elementary school kids spell bound with great classical music.

Q: Does this next conductor have big shoes to fill?

Certainly. The orchestra isn't just concerts. Its community outreach, education programs in the schools, programs in dozens of counties, fundraising, marketing and patron relations. The next music director needs to have a hand in every facet of this large organization. Maestro Cooper has navigated all these items so adeptly the next guy or gal will need to wear many hats

Q: What does the future look like for the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra?

The future for the orchestra looks great! We have re engineered our business model to ensure financial stability. We have successful touring, education and concert series throughout the state of WV. We are starting a new series of concerts in Morgantown. We have a great series in Morgantown and Fairmont. Our ticket sales in Charleston are on the rise. Everyday we provide string educators in dozens of Kanawha County schools. This is a season for reflecting on and thanking Maestro Cooper for his leadership in building these programs. The WVSO will continue to thrive thanks to his hard work and dedication.