Thomas is impressed by the work of conductor Mark Russell Smith. Smith was hired in 2007 to serve as Artistic Director of Orchestral Studies at the University of Minnesota and Director of New Music Projects for the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. This week Smith faces the monumental task of conducting two Mahler symphonies in one week. He'll lead the University of Minnesota Symphony Orchestra in a performance of Mahler's Symphony No. 9, Thursday, March 12, at Ted Mann Concert Hall. On March 13 and 14, he'll conduct the Minnesota Orchestra as it performs Mahler's Symphony No. 4 at Orchestra Hall.