Chicago Sinfonietta announces a star-studded lineup of hosts for its 36th annual gala, Soundscape. Leading the unforgettable evening will be Actress and Second City Alumna Claudia Michelle Wallace as Emcee, and as Presenters, Emmy-winning and nominated broadcast journalists Hosea Sanders, LeAnn Trotter, Matthew Rodrigues, and Courtney Hall, some of Chicago’s most respected and innovative individuals in their fields.

Soundscape Emcee, Claudia Michelle Wallace is a native Chicagoan, and an alum of The Second City, Mainstage, where she performed in “Doors Open on the Right,” and was an ensemble member in The Jeff Nominated shows, “Red Scare, Iraqtile Dysfunction,” and “War, Now In Its Fourth Smash Year.”

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The Wheeling Symphony Orchestra is pleased to announced changes to its artistic team: the appointment of Antoine T. Clark to Associate Conductor and Shaun Hancher to Sinfonietta Conductor and Conducting Fellow.

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Each year, at one of Chicago’s social events of the season, Chicago Sinfonietta (CS) honors an individual who has made an impact on the community in a manner in keeping with the organization’s mission. For over three decades, the CS has championed and inspired others to invest in diversity and inclusivity in the genre of classical music to promote fairness and equity and strengthen community ties. Acclaimed for its leadership in innovation in the field, Chicago Sinfonietta leads by example not only from the concert stage, but through community, career development, and education programs. This October 28, 2023, the 36-year-old organization is proud to honor Maria E. Wynne, Immediate Past CEO of Leadership Greater Chicago and a true effector of change, with its Legacy Award at Soundscape: Chicago Sinfonietta’s Annual Gala. Past honorees include Maurice Smith: President and CEO, Health Care Service Corporation, former CS Board Chair; Dr. Helene Gayle: President, Spelman College, Immediate past President of the Chicago Community Trust; and Scott Hoesman: President, InQuest Consulting, Immediate past CS Board Chair.

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The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association (LA Phil) today announced the appointment of former Dudamel Fellow Rodolfo Barráez as Assistant Conductor, Ann Ronus Chair, of the LA Phil for the 2023/24 season. As part of his duties, Barráez will serve as the cover conductor for Gustavo Dudamel and guest conductors throughout the orchestra’s subscription season and on tour. He will also make his Hollywood Bowl debut in 2024.

The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association has also announced the 2023/24 Dudamel Fellows: Anna Handler, Ross Jamie Collins, Carlos Ágreda and Michelle Di Russo. The four Dudamel Fellows selected for this year’s class are rising international conductors chosen by Music & Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel and the LA Phil. Anna Handler (Colombia/Germany) recently made her debut at the Salzburg Festival as director of the Káťa Kabanová Camp; Ross Jamie Collins (Finland/United Kingdom) is a member of the inaugural class of Salonen Fellows in the Negaunee Conducting Program at the Colburn Conservatory of Music; Carlos Ágreda (Colombia) recently conducted the Filarmónica Joven de Colombia at the Rheingau Musik Festival in Germany; and Michelle Di Russo (Argentina) recently made her debut with the Portland (Maine) Symphony Orchestra and Vermont Symphony Orchestra and is in her second season as Associate Conductor with the North Carolina Symphony.

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