Colorado Symphony Principal Conductor Peter Oundjian to Become Music Director

Oundjian has agreed to a four-year contract beginning in the 2025/26 Season

Peter Oundjian joined the Colorado Symphony as Principal Conductor prior to the 2022/23 Season and oversaw the orchestra’s emergence from the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to his work on the podium for the Colorado Symphony, Peter Oundjian will continue in a leading role in the artistic planning, and help cement the ensemble as a preeminent 21st-century orchestra.

With a career spanning five decades, Oundjian began as a solo violinist, and the first violinist of the Tokyo String Quartet, followed by an international conducting career leading many international orchestras.

After a 14-year tenure as the Music Director of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and six years at the helm of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Oundjian was named Music Director of the Colorado Music Festival in 2019 and continues in that role.

From 2012-2018, Oundjian served as Music Director of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, and his final appearance with the orchestra as their Music Director was at the 2018 BBC Proms where he conducted Britten’s epic War Requiem.

Oundjian has been a visiting professor at Yale University’s School of Music since 1981, and in 2013 was awarded the school’s Sanford Medal for Distinguished Service to Music. Oundjian conducted the Yale and Juilliard Symphony Orchestras and the New World Symphony during the 2018/19 season.

"For many years, it has been my great pleasure to work with the extraordinary musicians of the Colorado Symphony, first as a frequent guest conductor and most recently as their Principal Conductor, ” said Oundjian. “I am profoundly honored to step into the role of Music Director and to continue our musical journey together. This new chapter is a thrilling opportunity to deepen our connection with our community, innovate, and reach new artistic heights as an orchestra. I look forward to building on our shared successes and bringing dynamic and inspiring performances to Colorado audiences in the years to come."

“We are absolutely delighted to announce Peter Oundjian as Music Director of the Colorado Symphony,” said Mark Cantrell, President & CEO. “Peter's exceptional artistry, visionary leadership, and deep commitment to our musicians and community have been evident throughout his tenure as Principal Conductor. His promotion marks an exciting new era for our orchestra. We look forward to the innovative and inspiring performances that Peter will undoubtedly bring, and we are confident that his leadership will continue to elevate the Colorado Symphony to new artistic heights.”