Good news: Daniel Black is now TFO’s first resident conductor in more than a decade.
Music Director Michael Francis announced today that Black will move into the new role for The Florida Orchestra’s 2020/21 season. The new position recognizes Black’s exceptional work over the past two years and his expanded role in TFO’s upcoming season.
“In his two seasons with TFO, Dan has shown remarkable rapport with audiences and musicians and a strong connection to the community,” Maestro Francis said. “He is both fearless and tireless in taking on new projects, and has consistently demonstrated his musicality, skills and engaging personality. We are delighted to reward him with this prominent position.”
Without Black, you would have seen a lot less of TFO during the coronavirus hiatus. He jumped in to learn video and audio editing to create several “virtual orchestra” recordings for the TFO at Home series, including Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4, an Inside the Music video series on Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 and Daughters of Freedom, a women’s suffrage anthem that Black arranged.
This season Black will take on more classical programs in the premier Tampa Bay Times Masterworks series, including TFO’s new Soundwaves concerts, which feature a rich range of composers and repertoire. He conducts Brass with a Beat on Nov. 14 and 15, a Soundwaves concert that features TFO’s premier brass and percussion sections performing Bach, Gershwin and more. (Tickets go on sale Oct. 12).
Black will continue to lead the orchestra’s youth, family and community concerts and will assist Maestro Francis and Principal Guest Conductor Stuart Malina with artistic duties.
“It’s a tremendous honor to be continuing with the Florida Orchestra as resident conductor. It’s a privilege to make music with these wonderful musicians, and I have really enjoyed working with Michael Francis, Stuart Malina and everyone on staff,” said Black, who joined TFO in 2018. “I feel right at home in Tampa Bay, and I’m proud to be a part of an organization that is so passionately dedicated to serving the community. I look forward to getting back on the podium for TFO’s return, and to many more concerts to come.”
Black made his debut in the Masterworks series last season, and he has conducted Raymond James Pops and Coffee concerts with TFO as well. He has conducted several film concerts, including Return of the Jedi, Home Alone and The Wizard of Oz with TFO and the Texarkana Symphony Orchestra.
Black follows beloved resident conductors Susan Haig, who left in 2007, and Thomas Wilkins, who left in 2002 and is now principal conductor of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra in Los Angeles.
The Florida Orchestra opens its reimagined season Oct. 31-Nov. 1 with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7, conducted by Maestro Francis. Concerts will be performed at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg with new safety protocols, and select programs will be live streamed.
