El Paso, Texas - The El Paso Symphony Orchestra Association announces the departure of Andy Moran, El Paso Symphony Youth Orchestras (EPSYOs) Music Director and El Paso Symphony Orchestra (EPSO) Resident Conductor. Andy has accepted the position of Director of Orchestras and Professor of Horn at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point starting in August 2016. He will continue his role with EPSYOs and EPSO throughout summer. “Although we are saddened by Andy’s departure, we are thrilled to see him continue to advance in his career. We were fortunate and blessed to have Andy be a part of our team for seven years. He was essential to the growth of our educational programs. We wish him and his family all the best,” says Ruth Ellen Jacobson, Executive Director.
Native El Pasoan, Andy Moran was named EPSYOs Music Director in the Fall of 2009 after an extensive national search. In April 2012, he was appointed Resident Conductor of the El Paso Symphony Orchestra. During his 7 year tenure as EPSYOs Music Director, the EPSYOs has received national recognition in form of 4 grants from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2013. He speared headed the development of the EPSYOs annual Piano Competition now its 4th year, the Summer Music Camp entering its 7th year, and Tocando poised to begin its 4th year. Under his direction, the EPSYOs program has grown to serve 290 students each season from El Paso and the surrounding area, and continues EPSYOs’ notable distinction of having 100% of its graduating seniors attend college. “I want to thank the EPSO and the EPSYOs for the fantastic seven years that I have been with them. Coming back to El Paso and working for the orchestra that raised me was a truly special opportunity. I wish them all the very best and look forward to coming back home and hearing of their continued success here in El Paso,” says Andy Moran.
On May 14, 2016, Andy led EPSYOs in their 10th Anniversary Season Finale concert. On June 20-24, 2016, he will host EPSYOs’ 7th Annual Summer Music Camp at Jefferson High School, 4700 Alameda Ave. The summer camp is open to musicians, ages 8 to 18, who have at least one year of musical experience on playing an orchestral instrument. For information on the camp visit epsyos.org or call 915.525.9878. Early registration ends June 1.
From June 27 through July 2, Andy will take 20 EPSYOs students to perform at Elitch Gardens in Denver, Colorado. He will also head the EPSYOs auditions scheduled for June 4-5 and August 20-21.
In July, Andy will lead the El Paso Symphony Orchestra in the 6th annual Pop Goes the Fort concert celebrating America’s Independence. The concert, which is free and open to the public, is on Monday, July 4, 2016, 7:30pm at Biggs Park, 11388 Sergeant Major Blvd and is followed by a spectacular fireworks display.