The months of tryouts and waiting are over for local classical-music lovers: The Richmond Symphony has named Steven Smith as its new music director. Audiences are familiar with Smith (no relation to his predecessor, Mark Russell Smith), who conducted a concert before the March 4 announcement of his hiring. He currently holds the title of interim music director but will begin his duties officially at the start of the 2010-11 season. Symphony fans will have a chance to see Smith at an April 24 gala concert featuring violinist Gil Shaham at Richmond CenterStage. Smith comes to Richmond having served as music director for the Santa Fe (N.M.) Symphony & Chorus and the Cleveland Chamber Symphony.
