The Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra is pleased to announce the extension of Music Director & Conductor Kirk Muspratt’s contract for two years.
“Northwest Indiana has been my artistic home for the past 22 seasons,” Muspratt said. “Thank you for welcoming this Canadian musician into your lives. I hope I have contributed something of quality, beauty, and joy to yours.”
Muspratt begins his 22nd season as Music Director of the Northwest Indiana Symphony, beginning his tenure at the Northwest Indiana Symphony in the fall of 2000. In his first 20 seasons, Kirk has instituted several highly commended programs that include a popular solo competition for children that results in a child performing at Symphony concerts. He was instrumental in founding the South Shore Summer Music Festival. To involve the community, created “Just Ask Kirk™” cards for audience questions, and a “Kirkature™” cartoon to help advocate the credo: “Symphonic music is for everyone.”
“Kirk has been such a wonderful ambassador for our organization and for orchestral music as a whole for our region,” said Dave Ryan, Symphony Board President. “We are extremely pleased to have reached a new 2-year contract agreement with Maestro and we look forward to more wonderful seasons of music.”
Muspratt recently received the 2020 Programming of the Year Award as well as the 2018 Conductor of the Year award from the Illinois Council of Orchestras. He was also named “Chicagoan of the Year” in classical music by John von Rhein and the staff of the Chicago Tribune. Before leading to the Northwest Indiana Symphony, Muspratt was resident conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony, Associate Conductor of the Utah Symphony, and Assistant Conductor of the St. Louis Symphony.
Muspratt is a native of Crowsnest Pass, Canada, and became an American citizen in 2010.
Beginning in Gary, Indiana on December 7, 1941, the Northwest Indiana Symphony has always believed that live musical performances can bring communities together in good times and bad. The Symphony has featured many guest performers over the years including Benny Goodman, Van Cliburn, Dizzy Gillespie, Itzhak Perlman, Doc Severinsen and the Tonight Show Band, The Smothers Brothers, Billy Gilman, Rachel Barton Pine, and Shirley Jones. The Symphony currently is celebrating its 82nd season.
Photo of Kirk Muspratt by Edda Taylor Photographie