Chamber Orchestra Announces New Music Director
Costa Rican conductor Luis Viquez has been appointed music director for the Chamber Orchestra of Barrington at St. John’s, beginning in the 2025-2026 season.
The high-energy Dr. Viquez, an accomplished clarinetist, is a member of the faculty at the University of Rhode Island where he is the Music Director of the URI Symphony Orchestra and serves as URI’s Director of Orchestral Studies. He also is the National President of the College Orchestra Directors Association.
“This is an exciting opportunity to build on the pioneering foundation established by Dr. Edward Markward and to continue enriching the Rhode Island community through the exceptional music-making of one of New England’s finest chamber orchestras,” Viquez says.
He succeeds Markward, the statewide chamber orchestra’s founding music director, who will retire June 30, the close of the organization’s eighth successful season. The orchestra has honored him with the title of Music Director Emeritus.
A Latin Grammy nominated and American Prize winner conductor, Viquez arrived at URI after seven years on the faculty at the University of South Dakota. He also served as the principal clarinetist of the Heredia Symphony Orchestra in Costa Rica for several years. As a sought-after guest conductor, Viquez has led orchestras throughout Latin America and within the United States. He resides in Westerly.
Brenda Young, Chair of the board and flutist in the orchestra, says Viquez is known for his charisma on and off the conductor’s podium, adding: “I expect him to forge some exciting new artistic paths.”
Photo Credit: Juan Guerra Photography
Costa Rican conductor Luis Viquez has been appointed music director for the Chamber Orchestra of Barrington at St. John’s, beginning in the 2025-2026 season.
The high-energy Dr. Viquez, an accomplished clarinetist, is a member of the faculty at the University of Rhode Island where he is the Music Director of the URI Symphony Orchestra and serves as URI’s Director of Orchestral Studies. He also is the National President of the College Orchestra Directors Association.
“This is an exciting opportunity to build on the pioneering foundation established by Dr. Edward Markward and to continue enriching the Rhode Island community through the exceptional music-making of one of New England’s finest chamber orchestras,” Viquez says.
He succeeds Markward, the statewide chamber orchestra’s founding music director, who will retire June 30, the close of the organization’s eighth successful season. The orchestra has honored him with the title of Music Director Emeritus.
A Latin Grammy nominated and American Prize winner conductor, Viquez arrived at URI after seven years on the faculty at the University of South Dakota. He also served as the principal clarinetist of the Heredia Symphony Orchestra in Costa Rica for several years. As a sought-after guest conductor, Viquez has led orchestras throughout Latin America and within the United States. He resides in Westerly.
Brenda Young, Chair of the board and flutist in the orchestra, says Viquez is known for his charisma on and off the conductor’s podium, adding: “I expect him to forge some exciting new artistic paths.”
Photo Credit: Juan Guerra Photography
Photo Credit: Juan Guerra Photography
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