Area symphony reorganized after Southwestern cuts

Aug 08, 2023

Courtesy photo

The South Kansas Symphony in Winfield will continue as its own nonprofit entity after budget cuts at Southwestern College.

South Kansas Symphony, Inc., has named a new conductor and is operating under a new management format leading into the fall concert season.

The symphony has operated under the umbrella of Southwestern College’s performing arts department since the 1990s, with former versions of the ensemble connected to the college dating back to the late 1800s.

Following the elimination of the college’s performing arts degree programs and select faculty member positions among other departmental cuts in fall 2022, the South Kansas Symphony Advisory Board elected to incorporate as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit entity. The ensemble is now operating independently from the college, but will maintain a working partnership.

The symphony’s advisory board transitioned to a nine-member working board of directors serving as the ensemble’s governing body. Five board members are current symphony musicians; four members are community members not currently performing with the symphony.

Southwestern has been accommodating to the recent switch in operations and is allowing for the symphony’s continued use of Richardson Performing Arts Center, alternate performance/rehearsal facilities, the music library, instruments, stage equipment and student/staff support.

“The symphony is fortunate to have a strong support system, not only through our musicians, patrons and donors, but from Southwestern College. With this in mind, we are looking forward to this next chapter,” said John Baker, South Kansas Symphony, Inc., board president. “Our community’s continued support will be vital in upholding the rich legacy of symphonic music in Winfield.”

Winfield’s Legacy Regional Community Foundation is handling all financial needs of the symphony, including incoming donations, contract salaries, income/expenses and additional needs.

New conductor

Michael Christensen is the new conductor. He joins the ensemble following the departure of Amber Peterson, who served nine years as the symphony’s conductor and associate professor of music and Kilmer Endowed Chair of Strings Education at Southwestern College prior to the departmental cuts.

Christensen, director of instrumental music at Cowley College in Arkansas City, is contracted through SKS, Inc., and will not take on teaching responsibilities at Southwestern College.

Prior to coming to the Cowley County area in 2019, Christensen held faculty appointments at Coffeyville Community College and the University of Texas-Brownsville.

He received his education at the University of Oklahoma and Texas Tech University, earning his doctor of musical arts degree in 2015. Other interests include hiking nearby nature trails or spending time with friends in Winfield. He lives in Ark City.

A public meet-and-greet is from 2 to 4 p.m. Aug. 13 at College Hill Coffee in Winfield. Symphony supporters, donors, musicians and friends are invited to join the SKS board at the come-and-go reception to get to know Christensen ahead of the upcoming concert season.

New season

The symphony will hold its first concert of the regular season at 6 p.m.Oct. 15 in the Richardson Performing Arts Center. Additional concerts are on Dec. 3, March 3 and April 28, all at 3 p.m. in Richardson.

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Updated: August 5, 2023 @ 2:14 pm