Portland Symphony Orchestra names Moody’s successor 

The Portland Symphony Orchestra has named Eckart Preu as its music director. Preu succeeds Maestro Robert Moody, who concluded 10 years of conducting the PSO with the 2017-18 season.

With the PSO’s 2019-20 season Preu (whose name rhymes with joy), will begin a three-year term as music director and conduct a variety of offerings, including classical, pops and Magic of Christmas. Preu will also participate in planning sessions and various community events.

Preu, one of three finalists for the position following an international search, drew praise from the musicians, trustees, search committee, PSO staff, and audience members; they responded to his infectious passion for music, his talent on the podium, his collaborative work style, and his commitment to the community.

Carolyn Nishon, executive director of the PSO said, “Eckart Preu will be a strong partner and artistic leader for the Portland Symphony Orchestra. We are excited to see the relationship between him and the musicians grow, and we anticipate the incredible music they will create for and with our community. It is a thrilling time to be a part of the PSO.”

Preu said, “I am thrilled and honored to be chosen … . I remember the first moment I stepped in front of the orchestra very well – I felt the extraordinary quality of this orchestra immediately. It is a very giving orchestra, and the exceptional skill of the musicians, their passion, and commitment were palpable immediately.”

Tufts, MMC renew partnership

Tufts University School of Medicine and Maine Medical Center have signed a 10-year agreement that continues their partnership to provide academic and clinical training to medical students. 

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In related news, Jo E. Linder, M.D., has been appointed assistant dean for students, Tufts University School of Medicine, Maine Track Program. 

“When we began our agreement with Tufts a decade ago, we had a shared vision of addressing Maine’s physician shortage, giving Maine students equal opportunity to pursue quality medical education and developing an innovative curriculum focused on community-based education,” said Maine Medical Center President and Chief Executive Officer Rich Petersen.

Linder, who is an associate professor in both the department of emergency medicine and the department of community medicine and public health at Tufts, has served as the director of student affairs for MMC for the past eight years. In addition, he serves as co-chair of the subcommittee in admissions for the Maine Track Program, is a member of the educational leadership team at Maine Medical Center, and a member of the joint steering committee for the program.

In 2008, Tufts School of Medicine and Maine Medical Center partnered to create the Maine Track program, which was built on the idea that the best way to make the state’s communities healthier is to make it easier for Mainers to become doctors. The program provides scholarships as well as a top-notch environment for academic and clinical training in Maine, which reduces two critical barriers for students who want to practice medicine throughout the state.

“The quality of the network we have created to support medical students is really reflected in the number of graduates who choose to stay in Maine and practice medicine here. I’m excited about what’s going to come over the next decade,” said Bob Bing-You, M.D., vice president of Medical Education at MMC and interim Academic Dean.

Granted

Scarborough Kiwanis Club has been awarded a $1,000 grant from the Wal-Mart Foundation that will be used to support the Scarborough Schools vacation food backpack program. 

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The Center for Grieving Children in Portland was among the recipients of impact grants awarded by Androscoggin Bank’s MainStreet Foundation for the second quarter of 2018. The five awardees received $1,000-$3,000 each.

Hires, promotions, appointments

Shelly Tallack Caporossi recently joined Gawron Turgeon Architects in Scarborough as its new marketing director.

Shawn McKenna of Scarborough, vice president Commercial Banking at Bangor Savings Bank, has been elected to the board of directors of the Maine Real Estate & Development Association.

BerryDunn’s Portland office welcomed Colleen Oakley back to the accounting firm as director of marketing. Oakley is a former managing editor on Wall Street, a college professor, and an award-winning playwright. She was previously with BerryDunn as a writer and content strategist.

Recognition

The Portland Water District recently was awarded the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association. “The award represents a significant achievement and reflects a commitment to the highest principles of governmental budgeting,” said PWD spokeswoman Michelle Clements. 

New Ventures

Evolution Tattoo Removal opened for business at 15 Middle St. in the Old Port on Aug. 1. The specialty laser tattoo removal clinic focuses on removing unwanted ink in a tattoo-friendly environment. The staff at Evolution Tattoo Removal has received training from New Look Laser College, the world’s leading laser tattoo removal training program. They have also received the designations of Certified Laser Specialist and Laser Safety Officer.

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A new 2,800-square-­foot branch of Cumberland County Federal Credit Union opened Aug. 1 on U.S. Route 1 near Hannaford Supermarkets on the site of a former Parsonage for the Yarmouth Church of the Nazarene. The branch will offer full­service retail banking, specializing in auto and home equity loans and have a staff of six. The $2.1 million investment is the credit union’s sixth branch.

Martin’s Point Health Care recently contributed $1,000 to support Riding To the Top’s summer programs, but nine members of the marketing team wanted to do more and decided to spend some time in the paddock.

Tallack CaporossiMcKenna

Eckart Preu has been chosen as the new music director of the Portland Symphony Orchestra. He is the outgoing music director of the Spokane (Washington) Symphony, the music director of the Long Beach (California) Symphony Orchestra and music director of the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra.

Linder


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