Octavio Más-Arocas is a very busy man. And this fall, his schedule intensifies.
Más-Arocas begins not one, but two new positions: director of orchestras at Ithaca College in New York, and music director and conductor of the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra here in Ohio.
The Mansfield Symphony Orchestra kicks off its 2017-18 season this Saturday, Sept. 23, marking the start of Más-Arocas' tenure with the orchestra.
Más-Arocas was announced as the new music director of the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra back in June, following a search that netted nearly 100 applicants. From all accounts, it was not just his impressive resume but his heart and passion that sealed the deal.
The Spanish-born Más-Arocas has worked extensively in Europe and the Americas. He has served as assistant conductor at the Madrid Royal Opera House and as an assistant to Kurt Masur at the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra.
Más-Arocas' conducting credits include Spain, Romania, Germany, Brazil, Portugal, Argentina and Mexico, along with the Green Bay, Traverse City, Fort Worth, Spokane, Toledo, Phoenix, Memphis, Kansas City and San Antonio symphonies, the National Repertory Orchestra, the Manhattan School of Music Symphony, the Interlochen Philharmonic, Kharkov Symphony in Ukraine, the National Youth Orchestras of Portugal and Spain, the Pescara Symphony in Italy and the Amsterdam Brass in the Netherlands.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxNOaIjvWmc
An alumnus of the American Academy of Conducting at Aspen, Más-Arocas is also known for his ability to inspire and transform young musicians. He has worked with the World Youth Symphony Orchestra, as well as the national youth orchestras of Portugal and Spain, has conducted All-State Honor Orchestras and has been in residence with university orchestras in Chicago, Portugal and Brazil.
Más-Arocas has led tours with the National Youth Orchestra "Templarios" of Portugal, the Interlochen Symphony and the Baldwin Wallace Symphony, and toured Argentina with the Silleda Wind Symphony.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFDs3HqLyAM
Saturday's Mansfield Symphony Orchestra concert at the Renaissance Theatre features a high-energy and ambitious program including Zoltán Kodály's Háry Janos, Igor Stravinsky’s The Firebird and vocal selections by George Gershwin.
