Stanger Replaces Holmes As Conductor of Orchestra

Russell Stanger will replace Malcolm H. Holmes '28 as conductor of the Harvard-Radcliffe orchestra.

The Pierian Sodality will officially welcome the new conductor at a banquet at 6 p.m. today in the Eliot Junior Common Room. Stanger, who conducted several rehearsals last year, will assume leadership of the orchestra in the fall.

Stanger is assistant-conductor of the New England Symphonic Guild Orchestra and is studying conducting with Richard Burgin, concertmaster of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Stanger was an assistant to Leonard Bernstein '39 at Tanglewood in 1943 and 1949. When he was there he conducted the main Tanglewood Orchestra several times. Last year he conducted the Wellesley College Orchestra.

Holmes conducted his last concert with the Orchestra, completing 17 years as head of the group, April 23. He left the position because his duties as dean of the New England Conservatory of Music took too much time.