Chatham Baroque, which just bade farewell to violinist Julie Andrijeski, has hired a new executive director, Joshua Foster.

Foster previously worked in development at Pittsburgh Opera. "It is a tremendous opportunity," he said. "We are on the cusp of a new dimension of performing with baroque violinist Andrew Fouts coming into the group, [which will] only further solidify Chatham Baroque's standing in the early music world."

A native of Enon Valley, Pa., Foster graduated from Carnegie Mellon University's Heinz School of Public Policy and Management, with a specialization in arts management. Prior to that, he received a master's degree in music from the University of Notre Dame and a bachelor's of music education at Grove City College. At both schools, he focused on piano performance, and later he worked for a spell as an accompanist. As for period performing: "I took a whack at the harpsichord, but piano is my instrument," he says. Foster replaces Annette Romain in the position.

-- Post-Gazette classical music critic Andrew Druckenbrod

The Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra wants to take the bite out of an intimidating aspect of young musicians' lives: auditions. It will sponsor a seminar with presentations and advice, and the opportunity to play a mock audition for a panel of Pittsburgh Symphony musicians.

The workshop takes place at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Heinz Hall, Downtown. Cost is $10; call 412-392-4872.