Submitted photo
William McClain is shown during a past performance.
The mostly volunteer Columbus Symphony Orchestra has chosen William McClain of Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, to be its next music director — and only the seventh such leader, including an interim, in its century-plus history.
McClain will begin the appointment on July 1 and will lead the orchestra into its 102nd season, making it among the oldest such ensembles in the state.
While details for each concert will be released in August, the 2024-2025 season will take place on the following dates: Oct. 20, Dec. 8, Feb. 9, 2025, April 27, and June 8.
He replaces South Bend resident Josh Aerie, who served eight years and vacated the position to devote more time to his own cello career. This past season included several music director finalists, each leading a concert with a program of pieces they selected.
“I am so honored to be the next music director of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra of Indiana!” McClain posted on his Facebook page. “It is such a fun group of musicians. I can’t wait for what’s coming next.”
He led ensemble in its final concert of the season June 2 at The Commons. Days before, he said in a Republic interview that his role as associate professor of music at Millikin would be ideal in leading and teaching mostly musical non-professionals from a variety of backgrounds.
“I’m very accustomed to working with all skill levels,” he said during a recent three-and-a-half-hour drive to Columbus for the local symphony’s rehearsal.
His own skill level is such that he has appeared in major venues across the United States and abroad, including Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall, Carnegie Hall, and the Sheremetev Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia.
He currently performs on viola with the Augusta Symphony Orchestra and the Savannah Philharmonic Orchestra in Georgia. He is a former member of the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra and the Tri-Cities Opera Orchestra.
He also is beginning his fifth year as music director and conductor of the Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra. In the orchestral world, it is common for maestros to lead multiple groups.
Rachel Wilkin, the local symphony’s past board president and the co-chair of the music director search committee, mentioned that McClain’s background makes him a great fit locally with non-professionals.
“William is very encouraging and he is able to work with the orchestra in a way that is very special,” Wilkin said. “He has a background working with a variety of other community groups. With that background, he’s possesses a of things that we were looking for in a conductor.
“Additionally, he has an extensive breadth of knowledge when it comes to repertoire. He loves to talk about all that, and it was fascinating to hear him talking about pieces that we were going to be playing.”
McClain will be paid $12,500 for the part-time post.
This past season, the symphony averaged 100 to 150 people at its concerts at The Commons, and attracted about 300 people to its holiday concert. Wilkin said that the orchestra still is working to to boost its attendance.
Days before his performance with symphony, the Washington, D.C. native offered its musicians praise, calling players “very responsive.”
