Pacific Symphony Position Goes to Tampa Conductor : Music: Edward Cumming, who was chosen from a field of 50 candidates, will also head up the new orchestral institute at Cal State Fullerton.

Edward Cumming, resident conductor of the Florida Orchestra in Tampa, has been appointed assistant conductor of the Pacific Symphony and music director of the new Pacific Symphony Orchestral Institute at Cal State Fullerton.

He succeeds Daniel Hege, who will become music director of the Chicago Youth Symphony in the fall. Cumming, 35, has been appointed to a two-year term and will assume his duties Aug. 1.

The Oakland native studied at UC Berkeley and received a master’s degree and a doctorate from Yale University School of Music. He has held his Florida post since 1989 and has also conducted the University Orchestra at the University of South Florida since that date.

He was selected from about 50 applicants, six of whom were invited to conduct rehearsals or concerts this past season, according to executive director Louis Spisto.

“Cumming is a man who not only is an experienced and accomplished musician, but also is an experienced teacher of young people,” Spisto said Friday.

As music director of the Institute at Cal State Fullerton--a joint training project between the university and the orchestra that will open this fall--Cumming will conduct rehearsals, recruit players and schedule coaching sessions with Pacific Symphony musicians. Pacific music director Carl St.Clair will serve as artistic adviser to the institute.

About 25 students have already been accepted, according to Spisto. A second round of auditions is scheduled for Sept. 10-12.

“We hope we can get 50 or more students altogether,” Spisto said.

As assistant conductor to the Pacific, Cumming will lead family concerts and community outreach programs and will share with St.Clair in preparing concerts and other duties.

Cumming is married and has two children. They will live in Laguna Hills.