Springfield Symphony selects new conductor

After a series of auditions, Springfield Symphony Orchestra has selected its next conductor.

Kyle Pickett - music director and conductor of the Juneau Symphony in Alaska, the North State Symphony in California and the Topeka Symphony in Kansas - has been chosen to start in Springfield with the symphony's 79th season.

Pickett succeeds Ron Spigelman, who finished his eighth season with the symphony last year and took a job in May 2012 as director of development and marketing for Springfield Little Theatre.

Pickett was one of six finalists for the position, who each conducted a classical concert during the symphony's 78th season, with the first in October and the last in April. Pickett's concert was March 23. After each of the concerts, audience members were asked to score the conductors, which along with evaluations by staff and orchestra members factored in to the Springfield Symphony Board of Directors' final decision, according to the release.

"I had a wonderful time here in March - everyone was so welcoming and enthusiastic, and I was thoroughly impressed with the musicians, board members, staff and community supporters who have helped to make this such a successful organization," Pickett said in the release. "I am thrilled and honored to have been asked to lead the SSO into its exciting next new chapter, and my family and I are excited to move to the Midwest in the coming year."

Pickett, a graduate of Stanford University who received his doctorate from the Peabody Conservatory of Music, plans to maintain a joint residency between Springfield and Topeka, while his family would live in Springfield.