• Alexander Mickelthwate, the former Assistant Conductor of the Brooklyn Philharmonic, Is Named ASO Assistant Conductor
• Jere Flint Is Named Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra Music Director and ASO Staff Conductor
• Dr. Jeffrey Baxter Assumes Position of ASO Choral Administrator
• Jere Drummond Will Chair ASO Board for 2nd Consecutive Year

ATLANTA - - The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO) has named Alexander Mickelthwate as Assistant Conductor and promoted Jere Flint to Staff Conductor as well as Music Director of the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra (ASYO). The ASO also has appointed Dr. Jeffrey N. Baxter as new Choral Administrator, and announced that Jere Drummond, the current Chairman of the ASO Board of Directors, has agreed to serve a second term.

Mr. Mickelthwate's appointment, effective August 1, continues his association with ASO Music Director Robert Spano. Last season Mr. Mickelthwate was Assistant Conductor of the Brooklyn Philharmonic, where Mr. Spano has served as Music Director since 1996.

"Donald (Runnicles, ASO Principal Guest Conductor) and I are delighted and most fortunate to have one of America's top young maestros joining the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra's creative partnership," said Mr. Spano. "Alexander was a great asset at the Brooklyn Phil, and I'm certain his compelling talent, drive and commitment will advance the ASO as well."

Mr. Mickelthwate's responsibilities at the ASO will include assisting Mr. Spano and Mr. Runnicles and guest conductors during the Masterworks season and conducting education and parks concerts and other specified performances year-round. In addition to his experience at the Brooklyn Philharmonic, Mr. Mickelthwate has been Music Director of the Scarsdale (NY) Youth Orchestra and Greater Newark Youth Orchestra and Assistant Conductor of the Eos Orchestra. The German-born conductor is a graduate of the Peabody Conservatory of Music and is the recipient of a Fellowship to the Tanglewood Music Center.

Jere Flint's dual appointments as Staff Conductor and ASYO Music Director are the fruits of over three decades of meritorious service at the ASO. A long-standing member of the ASO's cello section, Mr. Flint has conducted the ASO for years at Classic Chastain, the ASO's annual summer music series at Chastain Park Amphitheater in North Atlanta.

Mr. Flint has also conducted the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra since 1979, and he occupies the Zeist Foundation Youth Orchestra Conductor Chair. His leadership has been vital to the ASYO's rapid rise to national prominence including its selection as one of 5 ensembles chosen to compete in the National Festival of Youth Orchestras held in Sarasota in June 2000 - a competition the ASYO unofficially won.

New ASO Choral Administrator Dr. Jeffrey N. Baxter has served the Orchestra with great distinction. He was Choral Assistant for several years to long-time Choral Administrator Nola Frink, who retired in June, and an aide to the late Robert Shaw, the ASO's Music Director Emeritus and Conductor Laureate.

Dr. Baxter has coached the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus and visiting guest artists in foreign language diction, and has been a guest program annotator. He has also served as an adjunct professor of music at Georgia State University.