Following an nearly two-year search, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra has appointed Jonathon Heyward as its subsequent Music Director. The 29-year-old American conductor takes up the put up – beforehand held by Marin Alsop for 14 years – in September 2023, with an preliminary tenure of 5 years. He’s the orchestra’s thirteenth Music Director and the primary black conductor to tackle the function within the ensemble’s 106-year historical past.
Born in Charleston, South Carolina, Heyward started enjoying the cello on the age of ten and began conducting whereas nonetheless at college. He studied conducting on the Boston Conservatory of Music, the place he turned assistant conductor of the establishment’s opera division and of the Boston Opera Collaborative, and obtained postgraduate classes from Sian Edwards at London’s Royal Academy of Music. Earlier than leaving the Academy, he was appointed assistant conductor of the Hallé Orchestra and have become Music Director of the Hallé Youth Orchestra.
Following his debut with the BSO, in March this 12 months, Heyward was invited to conduct the orchestra’s Profit Live performance for Ukraine, whose programme included Hymn – 2001 by Valentin Silvestrov, who fled his native Kyiv earlier this 12 months.
On his appointment with the orchestra, he says: ‘It’s a great honour to affix the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra at this thrilling time in its lengthy and distinguished historical past. I imagine we’ve a terrific alternative to construct on the storied achievements of the orchestra underneath Marin Alsop’s actually impressed management, together with her founding of the BSO’s OrchKids programme, and to discover the various methods by which we are able to attain the best variety of individuals at dwelling and abroad. I’m passionate concerning the energy of symphonic music to deliver audiences collectively and to talk to all communities. The Baltimore Symphony’s irresistible artistry, vitality and optimism have been clear to me from the primary second we rehearsed collectively earlier this 12 months. We shared a particular chemistry then and within the concert events we’ve given since. I look ahead to seeing the place that may take us within the years forward.’
Mark Hanson, President & CEO of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, says: ‘Jonathon Heyward is the perfect individual to function the Baltimore Symphony’s subsequent Music Director resulting from his deep musicianship, heat character, distinctive communication abilities, innate curiosity, and admirable need to make symphonic music extra accessible and related. Jonathon has already impressed each the orchestra and audiences – his vibrant expertise, daring programming, and fervent dedication to group engagement will proceed to develop our relationship with the various communities throughout Maryland. I’m thrilled to welcome Jonathon into the BSO household and to associate with somebody who shares my optimism concerning the BSO’s future and perception within the significance of sharing dwell musical performances with as many individuals as doable.’
Heyward assumes the function of Music Director Designate initially of the 2022-23 season.
