Gerard Schwarz Extends Contract at Eastern Music Festival

He will remain in the Music Director role until at least 2026

Conductor Gerard Schwarz, who has been Music Director of North Carolina's Eastern Music Festival (EMF) since 2008, recently extended his contract until the end of the festival's 2026 season. He has been associated with EMF since 2005, when he joined as Music Advisor — and he was made Principal Conductor the next year.

EMF was founded in 1961, and each summer it brings several hundred young musicians to the area. The festival also plays host to distinguished visiting guest artists, performances, and community programs. During his time with the festival, Schwarz has also founded a number of new initiatives, such as the Conducting Scholars Institute and the Euphonium-Tuba Institute.

Alongside his role at EMF, Gerard Schwarz is also music director of the All-Star Orchestra, the Palm Beach Symphony, and the Mozart Orchestra of New York. Additionally, he is Conductor Laureate of the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, Conductor Emeritus of the Mostly Mozart Festival, and has conducted and recorded with many of the world’s greatest orchestras. He also features on more than 350 albums.

"It is a great pleasure and honor to continue to make music in my summer musical home of the Eastern Music Festival through 2026," Schwarz said. "It is a great joy for me to work with so many wonderful musicians, both faculty and students as well as a very supportive staff and board. The vibrancy and enthusiasm of the Greensboro area audience is very special, and I am very excited to see what the next three years bring."

"We are delighted that our collaboration with Gerard Schwarz will continue," said Melanie Tuttle, EMF board chair. "He is an integral part of why our festival is so widely and highly regarded. The Board of Directors faced a very easy decision to renew our relationship with Jerry. We look forward to the coming seasons of magical music-making at EMF."