Conductor Gemma New Made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit

New is in her second season as Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra

New Zealand conductor Gemma New was honored in the country's 2024 King's Birthday Honors, receiving the title of Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for services to music direction.

New is presently the Artistic Advisor and Principal Conductor of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO) and the country's foremost orchestral conductor of her generation. In the 2023/24 season, she undertakes the final year of a nine-year term with Canada's Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra.

She spent four seasons serving as Principal Guest Conductor with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and another four as Resident Conductor of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.

A recipient of the 2021 Sir George Solti Conducting Award, New is a former Dudamel Conducting Fellow with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. She studied with Gustav Meier and Markand Thakar at Baltimore's Peabody Institute, and then later with Kurt Masur in Leipzig.

"Gemma is a wonderfully talented and deeply knowledgeable conductor who is passionate about orchestral music and an exemplary champion of our living composers," said Kirsten Mason, Acting CEO of the NZSO. "Each concert that she conducts draws in new audience members to the NZSO and deepens the relationship with our existing audiences. This honor will be a cause for celebration by all musicians and an inspiration to young New Zealanders who dream about becoming a conductor."

"[I am] feeling deeply grateful and honored to be appointed as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, and I’m thrilled to be recognizing the vibrant role of orchestral music in New Zealand, especially the powerful performances by our incredible NZSO musicians," New wrote.

"It wouldn’t be possible to share my passion for music without my first Mahler experience in the NZSO National Youth Orchestra, or to have been inspired by so many exceptional colleagues, mentors and peers while growing up here in New Zealand. Together with the NZSO, we are building support for new generations of musicians and music lovers, and I’m really happy to see our NZ classical music community continue to blossom and thrive."