Donald Schleicher, the current conductor, will be retiring after 26 years at the University of Illinois. William Eddins has been appointed to the position in a visiting capacity for the 2021-2022 academic year, and will be teaching graduate conducting courses in addition to his conducting role.
Eddins has an impressive résumé: He has guest conducted for most major symphony orchestras as well as Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with soloist Wynton Marsalis, is an accomplished pianist and chamber musician, and most recently co-founded MetroNOME Brewery LLC. The proceeds from the brewery “will go to providing musical instruments, lessons, and education for underprivileged youth in the Twin Cities metro area.”
You can read more about his long list of accomplishments here.
Top photo provided by the School of Music.