Park City, UT, August 30, 2019
Paul Austin and Laura Ross have been re-elected to their positions of President and Secretary, respectively, of the International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians (ICSOM) at ICSOM’s annual conference, held August 21–24, 2019 in Park City, UT.
Austin, a horn player in the Grand Rapids Symphony, begins his second term, while Ross, a violinist in the Nashville Symphony Orchestra, has served as Secretary since 2002. “For 57 years, our organization has been a vital part of the cultural life of our society,” said Austin. “ICSOM brings together our nation’s best and brightest orchestral musicians in order to facilitate communication and improve our industry.”
Austin holds degrees from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and Tennessee Tech University. Having joined the Grand Rapids Symphony in 1999, Austin was instrumental in the drive for the GRS to join ICSOM in 2013, serving as their first delegate.
Ross holds degrees from the University of Michigan and was a member of the Toledo Symphony prior to becoming a member of the Nashville Symphony. She also has served on the ICSOM Electronic Media Committee since 2000.
ICSOM’s Governing Board also has two new members. Both Keith Carrick and Micah Howard were elected to serve as Members-At-Large at this year’s conference.
Carrick joined the Utah Symphony as Principal Percussionist in 2012. From 2007 to 2012, he was Principal Percussionist of the Sarasota Orchestra. He holds degrees from Boston University and the New England Conservatory.
Howard, a bassist, has been a member of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra since 1996. He also serves on the faculty at Carnegie Mellon University. He holds degrees from Duquesne University and Youngstown State University.
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The International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians (ICSOM) represents nearly 4000 symphonic musicians in the top 52 orchestras in the United States and Puerto Rico. ICSOM's mission is to promote a better and more rewarding livelihood for the skilled orchestral performer and to enrich the cultural life of our society.
Please contact ICSOM Chair Meredith Snow at (818) 786-3776, or by writing meredsnow@gmail.com.
ICSOM President Paul Austin
