ROANOKE TIMES 

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, October 16, 1995                   TAG: 9510170107
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

MEET THE MAESTRO

And then there were five. Finalists for the position of conductor and music director of the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, that is. As each comes to town to conduct the orchestra in one of its Monday-night concerts, we'll pick his brains a little to provide a brief glimpse of what he's like.

Name: David Wiley

Current job: Assistant Conductor, Minneapolis Symphony

Age: 29

Married: to actress and soprano Leah Marer. No children.

Favorite composer:

"I don't think I have one favorite ... If I had to eat the same food everyday, I think I'd get tired of it."

What do you listen to besides classical music?

"I love jazz. I performed as a jazz pianist for a while. I'm also into traditional West African drumming and singing. And folk music, especially Scottish and Irish fiddlers."

Favorite rock 'n' roll band:

"Mostly I just channel surf in the car, so I don't really have a favorite. I love Bruce Hornsby. I would love to accompany him with an orchestra one day."

Are you a dog person or a cat person?

"Neither. I grew up with a guinea pig named 'Big Guinea.' I kept a female for a friend one day, which a little while later gave birth to a dozen little guinea pigs. I had to go door to door to give them away."

How would you rather spend an afternoon off: hiking the Appalachian Trail, shucking oysters and drinking beer in front of a Redskins game, or reading a book in a hammock?

"I'd like to do all three on different days. Or hike the trail and then read a book with a beer."

Do you have any recurring dreams?

"My wife tells me I compose at night. I write during the day, but at night I work things out. The pieces come together. My wife says she wakes up and I'm singing tunes. She also says I dream in particular keys." 


 by CNB