The appointment of Leonard Slatkin as principal guest conductor places an American conductor in a leadership position at the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. But the orchestra also announced today it isn't stopping there -- it also will have extended relationships with several important American composers: John Adams, John Corigliano and Richard Danielpour.

Each will appear as a PSO "composer-of-the-year," with multiple concerts and activities: Corigliano in 2007-08, Adams in 2008-09 and Danielpour in 2009-10. Details have been released only on Corigliano's residence, which will be four weeks and include the premiere of his Percussion Concerto, written for Evelyn Glennie and to be conducted by Marin Alsop in February 2008.

Past composers-of-the-year were Rodion Shchedrin, Krzyzstof Penderecki, Michael Hersch, Christopher Rouse, Jennifer Higdon and Christopher Theofanidis.

PSO at USC

The PSO also announced it has formed a partnership with the Community Foundation of Upper St. Clair to bring its chamber orchestra to the USC High School Theatre for a three-concert series in the upcoming season.

Concerts will be Oct. 25, March 27 and May 15.