New Artistic Director Selected in San Francisco
by Doug Litwin
The San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band publicly introduced their new Artistic Director at its March 17 Community Concert, "An Enduring View." After an 8 month search, Dr. Roberto-Juan González was chosen for this post. It had been held for the previous 10+ years by Jadine Louie, a familiar face to many within LGBA. Ironically enough, at the March 17 concert in San Francisco when Dr. Gonzalez was introduced, Jadine Louie was conducting a concert with the Desert Winds Freedom Band of Palm Springs.
Dr. Gonzalez gave a stirring speech at the March 17 concert, stating how honored he was to lead the band that Jon Sims founded and has been led by so many great Artistic Directors. His first rehearsal will be March 27 and his first concert will be on June 8.
Roberto Gonzalez has served as music director of the North Bay Philharmonic Orchestra, a professional/community group in residence at Napa Valley College , since 1988. In 1992, he was awarded the McPherson Distinguished Teaching Award, given by the Napa Valley College Foundation, celebrating the unprecedented growth of music programs at the college under his leadership. He is also currently the Associate Principal Conductor of the San Francisco Concerto Orchestra, a group known for its “Liszt in Leather” and “Beethoven in Bondage” concerts, in which he and the orchestra wear leather and fetish wear instead of traditional concert tuxedos. A proud member of the San Francisco gay leather community, he is active in such groups as the Leathermen’s Discussion Group (Steering Committee), San Francisco Leather Pride (Pride Parade Contingent), and the Leather-Levi Weekend (Steering Committee). González holds a doctorate in instrumental conducting and organ from the School of Music at Ball State University in Muncie , IN. In 1983, he debuted as conductor with the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra and in 1999 conducted the Sendai Philharmonic Orchestra and the Iwanuma Beethoven Chorale in Japan.
San Francisco's New Artistic Director: Roberto Gonzalez
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