California's Modesto Symphony Orchestra Names New Music Director

Nicholas Hersh will step into the role and make his debut with the ensemble in October 2023

Nicholas Hersh will become the Modesto Symphony Orchestra's ninth Music Director and emerged victorious from a selection process that considered more than 200 applicants.

Hersh has built up an impressive series of conducting appearances. In the 2023/24 season, he will return to the National, Houston, Baltimore, Colorado, and New Jersey Symphonies, while making debuts with the Springfield Symphony and Wintergreen Festival.

He has also held the position of Associate Conductor at the Baltimore Symphony — during which time he established the BSO Pulse series, which brought together indie bands and orchestral musicians in unique collaborations.

Originally from Evanston, Illinois, Hersh received a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from Stanford University and a Master’s Degree in Conducting from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. He is a two-time recipient of the Solti Foundation Career Assistance Award.

"The process of selecting a new Music Director has been an inspiring experience for the MSOA Board of Directors," said Steve Pallios, the Chairperson of the Board. "Careful deliberation, coordination, and planning went into choosing our next artistic leader."

"Nick has a passion for producing high-quality performances and enhancing our community’s quality of life through music. The Board and I are looking forward to Nick‘s ambitions for the MSOA through innovative and collaborative programming and understanding of what our community needs."

"I am beyond thrilled that my first music directorship will be in such a vibrant, music-loving city as Modesto," Hersh said. "There was a certain electricity in the Gallo Center when the MSO musicians and I collaborated last year, shared not only onstage but with the audience as well; together we'll grow that energy, creating bespoke artistic experiences for the entire Modesto community and cementing the role of music education for all ages as a driver of social good."

"I can't wait to be back in Modesto this October for Tchaikovsky's blazing Piano Concerto No. 1 with Alessio Bax, whose inventive musicianship I've long admired, as well as a season full of both new discoveries and fast favorites!"