BSO's Alejandro Gomez Guillen passes baton to Isaac Terceros

Bloomington Symphony Orchestra's last concert with artistic director Alejandro Gomez Guillen conducting is May 14 at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. Next, Guillen, a conductor and violinist, heads for the Omaha Symphony.

So, Bloomington Symphony Orchestra has been searching for a permanent conductor and hired Isaac Terceros as interim conductor for the 2023-24 season. Terceros, pursuing a Ph.D. in conducting at Indiana University, comes  from Bolivia.

Interim conductor to take over Bloomington Symphony Orchestra

Guillen is passing the baton to competent hands. Terceros is founder and music director of Bolivia's Santa Cruz Philharmonic and assistant conductor in symphonic and operatic productions at IU's Jacobs School of Music.

"I have a Hebrew name (Isaac), which means 'the one who laughs or rejoices,'" Terceros said in an email, "and I try to always represent that."

He finds happiness in both places, "although apparently Santa Cruz and Bloomington do not have much in common. I am beyond excited for the opportunity to work with a group of musicians that have a deep passion and commitment to music and have a strong interest in innovation and cultural development in both cities."

A cultural difference between the U.S. and Bolivia, he said, is that Santa Cruz doesn't have a long tradition of classical music.

"Therefore, I need to think of strategies to educate and explain why it is important that pieces from the core symphonic canon be performed and experienced by the (Bolivian) audience."

In Bloomington, however, many are familiar with works from renowned composers. He said musicians strive for programs that are more inclusive and diverse, incorporating works from living composers, women and other, less represented authors.

While Terceros was studying at the Jacobs School, Guillen invited him to substitute conduct selected Bloomington Symphony Orchestra rehearsals. Terceros was promptly attracted to the artists' energy and love for music.

"I am certainly thrilled for the opportunity to connect with them for a longer period of time."

For Terceros, making music, and orchestras in particular, are social experiences, partially because they value each member.

Some of Terceros' honors

In 2019, Terceros won the Bolivia Outstanding Young Person Award, sponsored by Junior Chamber International. The organization honors young people who excel in their fields, exemplify the best attributes of the world's young people, and serve as examples of entrepreneurial and ethical leadership.

A year before that he received the same award at the city level for the city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra in recognition of his work with the Santa Cruz Philharmonic and other cultural projects he led.

As Terceros pondered a career, he landed on three options: music, journalism and sociology. Conducting music won, because he recognized the need his city had for conductors. Very young, he moved to Brazil to pursue undergraduate studies in conducting, because this was not an option in Bolivia.

What does Terceros look for in musicians?

He believes passion, expression and energy are how people show a love of music and can communicate something meaningful. He looks, too, for creativity, innovation and courage to do something new.

"I love breaking paradigms and surprising the audience with something that they never experienced before."

What else moves Terceros?

"Certainty, my family is the reason for much of my personal happiness today. I thank my beautiful wife, Roxanne, for being a constant support for my musical endeavors and for taking care of our two lovely daughters, Annelise (2 years old) and Juliet (9 months old). They really make me smile every day!"

"On the other hand, it has made me very happy to see this lifelong dream of conducting professionally become a reality, too."

He also enjoys playing piano, his first instrument, as well as the flute.

"The piano connected me to music, and the flute was the bridge to get into the orchestra world."

Terceros thanks Maestro Guillen

"I would like to say to Maestro Alejandro, thank you for introducing me to BSO and for the opportunity to serve this special unique orchestra. You have set the bar high! BSO will always welcome you back, and we wish you the best for your future endeavors."

Conductor Alejandro Gomez Guillen will miss BSO

"I will greatly miss making music with my BSO family as well as getting to share it with such loyal audiences in Bloomington, but I’m also excited for the orchestra’s renewed leadership and I’m confident in its future."

Guillen said Terceros has been a wonderful collaborator.

Looking back at his time with the BSO, Guillen reflected, saying, "I’ve enjoyed our collaborations and the amazing relationships that have developed with fellow Bloomington arts organizations." He mentioned, among others, Reimagining Opera for Kids, Windfall Dancers, Voces Nova, IU's Latin American Music Center and IU's Archives of African American Music and Culture.

A second highlight has been the chance to work with the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra, especially when including living composers.

One moment that stands out was a performance of Mickey Tucker’s Spiritual Collage, with Mickey hearing the piece roughly 30 years later, finally, live, tuning in via Zoom from Australia.

"Mickey’s reaction was incredibly moving." Readers can view it on Youtube, for its remarkable spontaneous joy.

Mickey Tucker’s Spiritual Collage was a product of a connection with the Archives of IU's African American Music and Culture and its director Tyron Cooper.

"(Mickey's) reaction when finding out that the piece would be performed brought me to tears, and then seeing his face light up on screen after we played it for him was also amazing.

"I am really passionate about being able to share these types of connections with the audiences, and remembering that all music was once new music keeps things in perspective."

Guillen looks forward to his continued work with Omaha Symphony, Sphere Ensemble and several other organizations.

When he takes a break from music, it will be walks in the woods, alone or with his wife, Sarah.

Guillen's message to his fans

Guillen said, "Thank you for supporting your hometown orchestra. I know that Bloomington is lucky to have such an incredible arts scene, and we don’t take your support lightly. The musicians of the orchestra are incredible human beings from all walks of life, choosing to share music with their community. They truly are your neighbors, and so by supporting the BSO, you truly are investing in the community becoming stronger."

If you go

WHAT: Bloomington Symphony Orchestra's "Imagine: Legends," featuring Firebird and Scheherazade, Movements 2 and 3 from Scheherazade, by Rimsky-Korsakov; The Firebird, by Stravinsky; Midsummer Night’s Dream Overture, by Mendelssohn; Mar de recuerdos (Sea of Memories), by Antonio Medellín Fajardo. This is the group's last concert conducted by Alejandro Gomez Guillen, soon to be BSO's past artistic director and conductor.

WHEN: 5 p.m. May 14WHERE: Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 114 E Kirkwood Ave.

TICKETS: Adult, $25; Student with ID, $12; children 18 and younger are admitted free of charge. For tickets and more information, go to https://bit.ly/3KSUXyZ and for more on Bloomington Symphony Orchestra, go to www.bloomingtonsymphony.com/

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Bloomington Symphony Orchestra's Alejandro Guillen conducts last concert