Anna-Maria Helsing Named Chief Conductor of the BBC Concert Orchestra

Helsing was promoted from her previous post of Principal Guest Conductor with the orchestra

Finnish conductor Anna-Maria Helsing will step into the role as the new Chief Conductor of the BBC Concert Orchestra in October 2023, for an initial term of three years. She has served as the ensemble's Principal Guest Conductor since 2020.

Helsing has conducted all the major Finnish and Swedish orchestras, as well as appearing with the Philharmonia Orchestra, Iceland Symphony, and Estonian National Symphony, among others.

Originally a violinist, Helsing studied at the Conservatory of Jakobstad and the Academy of Music in Bydgoszcz, and studied conducting with Leif Segerstam at the Sibelius Academy. She has also participated in masterclasses with Jorma Panula, Vladimir Jurowski, and John Carewe.

Previous Chief Conductors of the BBC Concert Orchestra include Bramwell Tovey, Barry Wordsworth, and Keith Lockhart. Helsing will be the first woman to hold the position.

"I am thrilled and very excited to deepen my collaboration with the BBC Concert Orchestra as their new Chief Conductor," Helsing said. "During our years together we have established a warm connection, which on my part makes working with this orchestra a true pleasure."

"In the years to come I would love to further expand the symphonic repertoire of the orchestra as well as presenting it to audiences outside of London. I have the greatest respect for this fine group of musicians and I look forward to us making a lot of fantastic music in the future."

"This is such an exciting time for the BBC Concert Orchestra as we welcome Anna-Maria Helsing as Chief Conductor," said Bill Chandler, the Director of the BBC Concert Orchestra. "Her already deep connection with the musicians and her superb music making will ensure that the next chapter of the Concert Orchestra’s future will be expertly led."

"Already the UK’s most versatile orchestra, Anna-Maria’s hope is to further expand the orchestra’s repertoire, and with her passion and her openness for connecting with new audiences in new ways, it promises to be a meaningful and dynamic musical relationship that will place the Concert Orchestra at the heart of the BBC’s vision to make exciting, relevant and impactful content."