POCATELLO — The Idaho State-Civic Symphony and conductor Grant Harville seen to be a good match.

    Harville comes to Pocatello from Atlanta, where he served as conductor for the Georgia Symphony Orchestra and the Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra.

    During the interview process at Idaho State University, Harville said he was impressed by the active competence of both the symphony and the university.

    “That’s a very reassuring thing when you’re coming to a new place,” Harville said.

    Originally from Wisconsin, Harville studied at the University of Wisconsin at Madison and the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor.

    “I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my life,” Harville said. “I took about a year off.  I knew I wanted to conduct.”

    He returned to school and earned a degree in conducting.

    Harville also plays the viola and the tuba, and he sings and has performed with a number of choral groups.

    The Idaho State-Civic Symphony is 75 years in the making. A sort of hybrid symphony, the 90-member orchestra is comprised of volunteer musicians and students from Idaho State University, and it was ISU that hired Harville.

    “I saw talented musicians who were interested in performing well,” Harville said.

    Classical music has always been part of his life, while he admits that his musical tastes are varied.

    “I like the Beatles, and I like the same bands as other people, but from 10 or 11 years old, I knew that classical music was what I wanted to do,” Harville said.

    His father was a church choir director and his mother gave vocal instruction.

    “Music was always part of our life,” Harville said.

    Harville said much of the work of a conductor is done off stage. The conductor selects the music that will be performed during each concert and serves as a focal point for musicians during each performance.

     His priority as the new conductor will be more about building relationships than bringing about change and his role as the conductor for the symphony will include teaching.

    “Music students enjoy their classroom time, I know I did,” Harville said.

    While the final performances are the icing on the cake, Harville said rehearsal time is a way to bond with musicians.

    “In rehearsal, that’s where you really get to know people,” Harville said.

    The Idaho State Civic Symphony rehearses on Tuesday and Thursday and concerts are scheduled Friday.

    The season kicks off Sept. 27, with the Lapis concert.

    The event features violinist Chee Yun – her flawless technique and compelling artistry have entertained audiences on five continents

    Harville, who arrived in Pocatello Wednesday, said each concert this season was named after gems.

    “I think that’s appropriate for the Gem state,” he said.

    Harville helped to develop this season’s music.

    The second concert, the Emerald concert is set for Nov. 8, and the repertoire is inspired by emeralds.

    Pianist mark Neiwirth will perfrom during the pre-holiday event and the concert will close with a special Irish rhapsody.

    On Dec. 13, the Ruby concert is scheduled and ISU music professor Scott Anderson will serve as the guest conductor.  The season wraps up March 21, with the Opal concert. The event will include performances by soprano Diana Livingston and Shandra Helman on clarinet.

    Harville said he’s not an outdoors guy and he described himself as a terrible skier, but he said Pocatello is now home.

    “I’m basically a northern boy,” Harville said.

    All concerts are at the Stephens Performing Arts Center in Jensen Hall — the state-of-the-art theater seats 1,200 people.  For ticket information go to thesymphony.us.