Sarah Hicks: New top of Minnesota Orchestra's pops

The Minnesota Orchestra has named Sarah Hicks as principal conductor of pops and presentations, filling a vacancy left when Doc Severinsen retired two years ago. Hicks, whose appointment takes effect immediately and lasts four years, became the first female staff conductor when she joined the orchestra as assistant conductor in 2006. She and violist Sam Bergman conduct the popular Inside the Classics series, and she has been active with the orchestra's Crescendo Project, aimed at developing younger audiences.

Hicks, 36, was introduced at a noon luncheon Monday in Minneapolis. In addition to conducting at least four pops concerts each year, she will continue Inside the Classics and lead holiday concerts.

One of her first assignments in Minnesota, she said, was directing Severinsen in a performance. "I've come full circle," she said. "To conduct Doc Severinsen was a thrill, and it was imbued with meaning."

Hicks' first concert in her new role with the orchestra will be "Broadway Rocks!" on Oct. 23. The following weekend, she and Bergman will explore Beethoven's Sixth Symphony in an Inside the Classics program. Inside the Classics has achieved subscription renewals of 95 percent in its third season -- up 35 percentage points. In 2008, Hicks introduced "A Scandinavian Christmas," a holiday program for which she arranged music and conducted. It returns this year.

Hicks served as associate conductor at the Richmond Symphony in Virginia before coming to Minnesota. In September, she was appointed associate conductor of the North Carolina Symphony -- which involves a commitment of nine weeks a year. She and her husband, horn player Paul LaFollette, recently bought a house in Minneapolis.

Of Hicks, Orchestra President and CEO Michael Henson said, "Sarah is made for this role. She has a passion for popular music."

Severinsen was the orchestra's first pops conductor. He remains as pops conductor laureate.

Graydon Royce • 612-673-7299