The executive director of the Symphony New Hampshire has been hired to helm the Elgin Symphony Orchestra.
Marc Thayer was selected after a nationwide search involving dozens of candidates, a news release on the hiring said.
He replaces Erik Malmquist, who is leaving in August to oversee casting at Munich’s Bayerische Staatsoper.
Thayer has worked for the New Hampshire symphony since 2016 and is an accomplished violinist who has performed with and taught for the Association of American Voices, the American Music Abroad Program for the U.S/Department of State and the Whim Estate Historical Society Concerts in St. Croix, Virgin Islands, the release said.
He has held leadership roles with the St. Louis Symphony and with Miami’s New World Symphony. He received a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in violin performance from the Eastman School of Music, the release said.
“Marc brings to the ESO the experience, professionalism and industry knowledge we were looking for,” ESO Board Chair Andre Fiebig said. “Marc exhibits a great deal of thoughtfulness and enthusiasm that excites our musicians and will fit well with our loyal community.”
The ESO was founded in 1950, and became a fully professional ensemble in 1985. Over its history, guest soloists have included Yo Yo Ma, Kathleen Battle, Itzhak Perlman, Pinchas Zucherman, Sir James Galloway and James Ehnes. It has been named Orchestra of the Year by the Illinois Council of Orchestras in 1988, 1999, 2005 and 2016.