Symphony director candidate guest conductor Feb. 25

The third of four candidates vying to succeed Gordon Johnson as music director of the Great Falls Symphony Association guest-conducts the Saturday, Feb. 25 “New World/New Directions” concert.

Roger Kalia currently lives in Los Angeles, where he is assistant conductor of the Pacific Symphony and directs the symphony’s Youth Orchestra. Before that he was assistant conductor of the Charlotte, N.C., Symphony. Every August he spends two weeks as music director of the Lake George Music Festival in New York, which he co-founded.

The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Mansfield Theater of the Civic Center.

Q. Where are you from originally?

A. I grew up in Manhasset, N.Y., which is a small town on Long Island. Since then, I have studied and worked throughout the United States, and most recently lived in Charlotte, N.C. I am proud to now call Los Angeles home.

Q. What is the biggest challenge symphony organizations face?

A. It is sad but true that orchestras across the country are going bankrupt and folding due to limited funding opportunities and decreasing ticket sales. Many people view classical music concerts as stuffy and inaccessible, which could not be further from the truth. We do not need to change the music itself, but educate and engage audiences about the music and create active, inviting events that encourage all audience types—from first-timers to classical music aficionados—to attend.

Education can come from the podium, from pre- and post-concert discussions and activities, musician outreach at community events, and marketing and promotional materials in which we teach audiences how to listen, how and why music was created, and why it matters today. Creating an inviting atmosphere surrounding each concert and marketing it as an experience can get people in the doors for the first time and build our audiences.

Q. Symphony associations everywhere are looking to attract younger audiences. How might the Great Falls Symphony Association go about doing that?

A. Through innovative concert formats, performing in unique venues, collaborating with a variety of artists from all genres of music, and the use of social media. With the Charlotte Symphony, we created an alternative concert series called “Knight Sounds”—one-hour concerts with thematic programming, local collaborations, visual effects, and audience interaction. One of our most successful concerts was “Bachtoberfest: Bach & Beer,” in which the orchestra performed music by famous German composers, while teaming up with local breweries and German food trucks to create a more relaxed atmosphere.

I have had the pleasure of working with orchestras on performing everything from Beethoven and John Williams to mariachi and video game music, and these shows have not only been fun for all involved in the music-making process, but also for audiences as well.

Q. You’ve said programming a concert is like telling a story. Please explain.

A. A program, just like a story, has a beginning, middle and an end as well as a moral to the story with a thread running through it the audience can identify with. The program needs to have great variety but be interconnected in some way.

I love to program repertoire that is familiar to our audiences, while also mixing in contemporary works by living composers. This may include innovative contemporary works by up-and-coming composers mixed in with the classics by Beethoven and Mozart so that each piece is connected in some way. I also think that performing music by American composers and celebrating our musical tradition is necessary, including more pops-oriented programing that features jazz, movie music, and Broadway musicals.

With the Great Falls Symphony, I would love to feature the Cascade String Quartet or the Chinook Winds on one of our concerts as well as collaborating with groups from other art forms including the visual arts, acting, and dance.

Q. What appeals to you about working as music director for a symphony association in an out-of-the-way place like Great Falls?

A. The variety of artistic resources at the Great Falls Symphony’s disposal is extremely appealing. Not many orchestras can claim a Symphonic Chorus, a Youth Orchestra, and two outstanding chamber groups of principal musicians in the Cascade String Quartet and the Chinook Winds.

As a product of public school music education, I was immediately struck by the educational offerings that the Great Falls Symphony takes part in such as the “Symphony in Schools” program, youth orchestra, youth matinee concerts and the fact that a number of orchestra members teach music lessons in the schools. I would love to build upon these educational programs so that we reach every young person in Great Falls.

I am so impressed by the community support for the Great Falls Symphony. The organization is not only finding new and innovative ways to make the orchestra an integral and relevant part of Great Falls and the surrounding areas, but they are also excited about that prospect. The variety of repertoire and collaborations that the orchestra has taken part in is truly astonishing, and unique in the world of orchestras. It is an example of how an orchestra should function in its community.

Q. Would you establish your primary residence in Great Falls if you were offered the music director’s position? If not, how would you juggle your commute?

A. For an orchestra to establish an artistic identity and connection with the community, it is imperative that the music director spends a significant amount of time in the community. It is crucial that I am in the community and working with our staff and musicians, reaching out and meeting new audience members, attending as many community events as possible, and promoting the Great Falls Symphony to the best of my ability.

The music director is the face of the organization, and if that person is not a significant figure in the community, how can you expect the organization to grow and reach new artistic heights? By having a residency in Great Falls, I can cultivate relationships with both our dedicated audience members as well as new audiences who may not be familiar with the symphony.

Q. You would be replacing a music director who has served our community for 35 years. What makes you the best candidate?

A. I can promise you two things: my deep passion for music and my dedication to the community. I have a great respect for what I do, and for the music and the people who make it. I have worked with a variety of orchestras from around the country—professional, college, youth and community—and I believe that these experiences and my training make me well qualified to serve as music director of the Great Falls Symphony.

I strongly believe that classical music is for everybody, and I would make sure that the Great Falls Symphony is the most inviting, welcoming place for artistic entertainment in the community. The orchestra needs to reflect the community it serves. I think to embrace both your community and organization, to listen to it, and to make your decisions based on their voices is key.

Q. Tell us something we would never guess about you.

A. I am an avid fan of college basketball, particularly the Indiana University Hoosiers. I am also a major foodie, and ever since moving to California, I especially like Korean BBQ and California burritos. In my spare time, I love to hike and spend time outdoors with my beautiful fiancée, Christine, and our dog, Burney.