BANGOR – The Bangor Symphony Orchestra’s music director-conductor is the 2003 recipient of the Maine Public Policy Institute’s Dynamic Leader of the Year Award. Maestro Xiao-Lu Li will receive his award at MPPI’s Annual Award Banquet where he will also give the keynote address, “East Meets West: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Trade.”

The Institute’s founder Betsy P. Chapman said Li was chosen for the Dynamic Leader of the Year award for two reasons. First, because of his leadership and enthusiasm in guiding the Bangor Symphony Orchestra to greater musical challenges. Second, for challenging Maine business leaders with a unique vision of a more prosperous Maine.

In conversations with Gov. John Baldacci and Maine business leaders, Li has addressed the”Maine drain” and positive ideas for getting past the state’s persistent economic struggle. And Li has shown commitment to working with state policy-makers and business leaders to achieve these ideas.

Li joined the Bangor Symphony Orchestra in July 2002, the symphony’s ninth conductor since its founding in 1896.

“His love of the Greater Bangor community, his sincerity, outgoing personality and his commitment to the Bangor symphony’s mission of giving back to the community made Maestro Li the ideal candidate for MPPI’s Dynamic Leader of the Year award,” said Chapman.

The institute will present its Dynamic Leader of the Year award to Maestro Xiao-Lu Li at its annual award banquet June 12 at the Lucerne Inn in Holden.