Fort Wayne Philharmonic appointment: Andrew Constantine

New leader at philharmonic

The Fort Wayne Philharmonic concluded a two-and-a-half year search process by announcing in June that Andrew Constantine had been selected as its new music director.

The search began after former Music Director Edvard Tchivzhel announced in January 2007 he would leave the orchestra in May 2008 after his 15th season.

Constantine, who was born in England, has served since 2007 as music director of the Reading Symphony in Reading, Pa. He will continue in that role at the same time he serves as Fort Wayne Philharmonic music director. Before going to Reading, Constantine was associate conductor of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and had conducted many of the top orchestras in the United Kingdom.

He officially started work July 1 with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, but prior commitments with Reading and other orchestras mean he will conduct a limited number of philharmonic concerts this season. The philharmonic expects Constantine will conduct a full schedule of concerts beginning with the 2010-2011 season.

Constantine was one of eight finalists for the philharmonic job and one of about 275 applicants, the philharmonic said. The orchestra board of directors chose him based on input from the search committee, staff, board members, musicians and audience, orchestra officials said.