Wilmington Symphony Conductor’s final concert

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — After nearly four decades at the helm, Wilmington Symphony Orchestra’s conductor and music director is preparing to step down. Steven Errante has led the group since 1986, guiding generations of musicians from the podium.

“The orchestra conductor is not like a commander. You’re there, and you’re on stage with 60 musicians, and you are just trying to pull the best out of them…” Errante said.

When Errante moved to Wilmington in 1986, the symphony was made up entirely of volunteers.

“When I started out it was an all-volunteer orchestra. People just came for the love of it. And now we are a semi-professional orchestra, so I’ve just seen things change. And I think that’s one of the reasons I’ve stayed here—because the orchestra keeps evolving, and we all learn together,” he said.

Over the years, Errante’s focus has remained the same—helping both the musicians and the audience truly connect with the music.

“We try to bring out all the emotions in the music. I mean, there are a lot of good things about music, and the way it’s put together, and the intricacies of it. But in the end, it makes you feel—that’s the most important to me. So I try and get the orchestra players to project that to the back row…” he said.

In 2001, Errante helped launch the Wilmington Symphony Youth Orchestras (WSYO), which he conducted for 20 years.

“The amazing thing now is some of the leading players in the Wilmington Symphony started off in the youth orchestra,” Errante said.

Sisters Anne and Shelly Stevenson have been members of the symphony since 1995. The pair, who both play and teach violin, say Errante has shaped the orchestra’s sound and direction for as long as they’ve been a part of it.

“Steven has taken our symphony from really just a small community orchestra—which is still amazing; we have to have all levels of playing for everybody to enjoy music—to where we are now. And I feel like we are really verging on a semi-professional to a professional level,” Shelly Stevenson said.

Their children also participated in the youth orchestra, working with Errante in their early music journeys. Anne Stevenson says his ability to connect with both young musicians and adults is what makes him stand out.

“We all feel very seen, heard, and respected by him. And I know that the younger people do too. So it’s unusual to find a conductor, or music director, or maestro like Steven who can do all of those different levels,” she said.

Before Errante officially hands over the baton to incoming Musical Director Peter Askim, he will lead one final concert.

The “Celebration Symphony” will take place at the Wilson Center on May 3. The program will begin with the very first piece Errante ever conducted with the Wilmington Symphony—bringing his career full circle.