Liza Grossman founded the Cleveland-based Contemporary Youth Orchestra in 1995 to give talented young musicians in the region the opportunity to work with the composers of the contemporary works they commission. They’re also known for collaborations with rock and pop musicians such as Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, Michael Stanley, Styx, Ben Folds, Melisa Etheridge, Kenny Loggins and Jason Mraz.
Last fall, Grossman announced her retirement from the orchestra to begin work on a new project launching a search for her successor. She left big shoes to fill since the vision for the ensemble was hers and she had grown it over 25 years. Now, after a yearlong search, led by the nonprofit’s board, they’re found her successor right in our own backyard, naming Kris Morron their new music director/conductor.
Trombone player/composer/arranger/conductor/educator Morron is familiar to northeast Ohio audiences from his membership in such boundary-pushing, musically eclectic ensembles as Aphrodesiatics, Mifune, the Trepanning Trio, Hybrid Shakedown and Revolution Brass Band. He’s a product of several of the region’s many outstanding music programs, Tri-C’s legendary jazz program, Bowling Green State University, where he earned his bachelor of music with a focus on education, and Case Western Reserve University where he earned his masters.
His background as a musician and educator puts him totally in line with CYO’s mission. He says, ““Music education is about a lot more than the music. We’re creating a space where students can be themselves while pursuing excellence as musicians, citizens, and individuals.”
“I’m excited to have the opportunity to work with an organization that is dedicated to performing music written in the last 100 years,” he adds. “Through contemporary music CYO is bringing the rich, vibrant, and unique stories of a range of composers to the stage.”
Morron was introduced to the young musicians at a full-orchestra rehearsal as he leads the ensemble into its 27th season and its first live performances in two years.
Get more information about CYO here.