California's La Jolla Symphony and Chorus Appoints New Music Director

Sameer Patel will take on the role as conductor at the 2023/2024 season

Following a year-long search after, Steven Schick stepped down as Music Director in May 2022, La Jolla Symphony and Chorus has found a new leader in Sameer Patel.

Patel, 40, is the artistic director of the San Diego Youth Symphony, a position he will continue to hold.

A graduate of the University of Michigan, Patel formerly held tenure as Associate Conductor of the San Diego Symphony and the Associate Conductor of the Sun Valley Music Festival.

His further training in Europe was with conductors including Gianandrea Noseda, Daniele Gatti, David Zinman, Paavo Järvi, and the late conductors Kurt Masur and Bernard Haitink.

Highlights of Patel’s summer and upcoming 2023/24 season include guest conducting appearances with the Florida Orchestra, Omaha Symphony, Wintergreen Festival, and teaching at the New England Conservatory Summer Orchestra Institute.

"I am thrilled to join the La Jolla Symphony and Chorus as Music Director and Orchestra Conductor. From my earliest experiences working with the musicians, I've consistently been impressed not only with their artistic integrity and curiosity, but also by the way they so joyfully and willingly share their humanity both onstage and off," Patel said. "I am grateful and proud to expand my musical involvement in this community that I love and believe in, and I look forward to a bright future together."

"Sameer is a consummate musician. The orchestra and chorus respond beautifully to his musical leadership and have developed a positive, natural rapport with him," said Stephanie Weaver Yankee, executive director of LJS&C.