ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, April 17, 1996 TAG: 9604170071
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MATT CHITTUM STAFF WRITER
IF RUMORS ARE RIGHT, David Wiley of the Minneapolis Symphony will become the second professional conductor of Roanoke's orchestra.
The Roanoke Symphony Orchestra apparently has arrived at the end of its yearlong search for a new conductor and music director.
David Wiley, assistant conductor with the Minneapolis Symphony, would not confirm outright that he has the job, but when asked about it, he said, "I can't say anything until Thursday."
That is the day the RSO said it would introduce its new conductor at a 5:45 p.m. news conference.
A report on WDBJ (Channel 7) Tuesday evening said an anonymous source that is not part of the Roanoke Symphony organization confirmed that Wiley was the new conductor.
RSO Executive Director Pat Avise said one of the five finalists had been offered the job, but no contract has been signed.
"I'm embarrassed to say it, but we don't have a signed contract," public relations director Lori Gubala said. Neither she nor Avise would say if Wiley was the one.
"This makes it difficult to negotiate," Avise said of the reports that Wiley had taken the job.
Wiley, 29, came to Roanoke in October as the first of five finalists to conduct the symphony. His energetic conducting style - he leaped above the podium several times - quickly won over the local audience, which gave him a lengthy standing ovation.
He also handled the press well, tinkling out television sitcom themes on a piano in the lobby of the Patrick Henry Hotel during a news conference. The Boston native made his debut as a pianist and composer in his hometown when he was 10.
In an interview in October he said he sometimes composes in his sleep. He said his wife, soprano Leah Marer, tells him he dreams in particular keys.
Wiley was one of 200 applicants for the job. The field was narrowed to 74, then 23, and finally 5. Each finalist - Wiley, Stephen Stein, Leslie B. Dunner, Ming-Feng Hsin and Yong-Yan Hu - came to Roanoke to spend a week meeting the board of directors, rehearsing and conducting a performance.
If he accepts the job, Wiley will become only the second professional conductor of the 42-year-old orchestra. He will succeed Victoria Bond, who resigned in June after 7 years with the symphony.
LENGTH: Short : 50 linesby CNB