now that you know what a "Symphony Artist" is, you can aspire to be one

This from The Associated Press:

"SEATTLE -- Dale Chihuly, known for glass art designs and installations worldwide, has been appointed artist in association by the Seattle Symphony Orchestra.

The announcement Friday coincides with release of the symphony's recording of Gustav Mahler's 8th Symphony with cover art by Chihuly. It's from a monoprint which he's donating to the orchestra, along with 88 lithographs of a related work, "Symphony Sisters."

A New York publicist for the symphony, Amelia Kusar, said she could find no other orchestra that has appointed a visual artist as an associate.

Chihuly, a native of Tacoma, has long worked with musical groups. He designed sets for a production of "Pelleas et Melisande" at the Seattle Opera in 1992 and produced 20-foot blown glass chandeliers for the symphony's Benaroya Hall, which was opened in 1998."

Associated Press. "Chihuly appointed Seattle Symphony artist." May 8, 2009. Seattle P.I. Website accessed May 8, 2009. http://www.seattlepi.com/local/6420ap_wa_chihuly_symphony.html

From the Seattle Symphony blog "The Score":

"Big news at Benaroya Hall! Seattle Symphony and Dale Chihuly have teamed up once again — this time in a whole new way.

Last night, the Symphony announced the appointment of renowned artist Dale Chihuly to the position of Artist in Association, in conjunction with the release of our limited edition recording of Mahler’s magnificent Eighth Symphony, which Music Director Gerard Schwarz, Seattle Symphony and a host of guest artists performed and recorded live this past September.

“Dale Chihuly is among the most important visual artists working today. The contributions that he has made to our Hall, to our community and to the international art scene have been remarkable,” says Music Director Gerard Schwarz. “He is the most innovative, imaginative and creative artist I’ve ever known. And his willingness to collaborate with our Orchestra and the world of symphonic music has been inspirational.”

The Symphony’s partnership with Chihuly kicked off in May 2007 with the Symphony’s Music of Central Europe Festival, for which the artist designed incredible glass set pieces for the semi-staged performance of Bartók’s Bluebeard’s Castle. The collaboration continued the following spring, when Chihuly created extraordinary visuals for The Genesis Suite, which were projected above the Orchestra.

“It has always been my dream to have Dale associated with us in a more formal way,” Maestro Schwarz says, “and I can think of no better way to announce his position as Artist in Association than with the release of the Mahler 8 CD.” The recording showcases eight outstanding vocal soloists, as well as performances by our own Seattle Symphony Chorale, and local groups Seattle Pro Musica and the Northwest Boychoir. Made possible by a gift from longtime Symphony friends Martin Selig and Catherine Mayer, this special release disc features bespoke artwork by Chihuly himself: a new painting, titled Mahler’s Eighth Sister, graces the cover:

In honor of this exciting release, Dale and Leslie Chihuly are donating the original piece to the Symphony for auction. What’s more, Chihuly Studio is producing a limited run of 88 lithographs of a related work, Symphony Sisters, available for purchase through Seattle Symphony."

"Seattle Symphony welcomes Dale Chihuly as Artist in Association." May 8, 2009. Post by "Seattle Symphony" Accessed May 8, 2009. http://blog.seattlesymphony.org/?p=644