WILLIAMSBURG — Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra Director Michael Butterman is temporarily stepping down due to health issues, but the orchestra stressed the shows will still go on.
Its Sept. 26 opening concert, An American in Paris, will feature Brian DeMaris stepping in as the director in Butterman’s absence. The orchestra says Gershwin’s piano concerto is “re-imagined” by the Marcus Roberts Trio featuring pianist Marcus Roberts, drummer Jason Marsalis, and bassist Rodney Jordan. This night also features the beautiful “Lullaby for Strings” and the ever-popular musical travelogue “An American in Paris.”
Currently, the orchestra said it is still deciding on a candidate to fill in for the October concert, pending Butterman’s condition, and will make an announcement when the decision is made.
Butterman hopes to be back later this year. In the meantime, the organizations said he is still playing an active role in discussing concerts with the conductors the Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra has hired to fill in during his leave, as well as communicating with the orchestra itself.
“Definitely not how we thought we would be opening our 40th anniversary, but still everything is going forward as planned,” said Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra CEO Carolyn Keurajian. “We’re very hopeful [Buterman] will be back soon. This community really cares a lot about him as does the orchestra.”
To learn more about the Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra, visit its official website.
