A top job with a top orchestra seems the obvious next step.

But before then he will be appearing with many top American orchestras.

Women are still in a minority in most top orchestras.

The top orchestra has also traveled on 12 national and international tours.

"If there were only five top orchestras in the country, we really would be in bad shape."

The situation is striking at other top orchestras as well.

Then there are some very talented conductors who cannot do anything with a really top orchestra.

And even then with a top orchestra there is more work to be done.

They regularly attend music schools and many are successful musicians in top orchestras around the world.

The board's action put the orchestra in the market just as several of the top American orchestras were searching for music directors.