Conductor Christopher Dragon Concludes Tenure at the Wyoming Symphony Orchestra

The Australian conductor will serve as Music Director of both Philadelphia's No Name Pops and the Greensboro Symphony

The Australian conductor Christopher Dragon has come to the end of his tenure with the Wyoming Symphony Orchestra (WSO), having been at the helm of the orchestra since 2019. He was appointed when he was just 28 years old, and was selected from more than 100 candidates.

Highlights of his tenure have included the first instance of the WSO commissioning a new work in Stephanie Ann Boyd's Suffragette Symphony. Dragon followed this with several further commissions, including University of Wyoming student Monica Medoza’s piece Flight of the Golden Bird and a new work by Wyoming composer Anne Guzzo, which will receive its premiere next season.

WSO artistic consultant and conductor Jerry Hou will be the orchestra's interim music director for the 2025–27 seasons, and will also help in the search for a new music director. Currently the assistant conductor of the New York Philharmonic, Hou is also on the faculty of the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University.

Dragon has been appointed as the new Music Director of Philadelphia's No Name Pops and will step into the role on July 1, 2025. The orchestra was previously known as the Philly Pops.

He is also the newly appointed Music Director of the Greensboro Symphony and the Resident Conductor of the Colorado Symphony.

Recently, Dragon made his debut with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center and his German debut with the WDR Funkhausorchester.

"I am sad to be leaving the Wyoming Symphony Orchestra, but I am immensely proud of the growth that we have achieved together," Dragon said in a statement. "This would not have been possible without the support of our board, administration, and especially the hard work ethic of our musicians who truly give it their all from the very first rehearsal right up until the concert."

"A big thank you to our audience who have also been on this journey with us; whom I look forward to celebrating with throughout my final season as well as celebrating the milestone of the orchestra’s 75th anniversary!" he added. "Your support of the orchestra and love of music has truly helped to keep symphonic music alive in Wyoming."

"Christopher’s personal charisma and leadership advanced the artistry of the Wyoming Symphony Orchestra and engaged WSO audiences in each piece at every concert," said Becca Steinhoff, Chair of the WSO Board of Directors.