Jackson Symphony Appoints New Music Director

Composer and conductor Paul Haas will step into the role

Conductor and composer Paul Haas has been named as the fourth Music Director of the Jackson Symphony, and he will step into the role at the opening of the 2025/26 season.

Haas comes to Jackson from a 15-year tenure as music director of the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas (SoNA). During his time there, the orchestra's budget has been tripled, and it frequently performs to sold-out audiences. Additionally, Haas has recently stood down from the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra in Ontario, where he solved a number of long-standing budgetary issues.

Haas has also held conducting roles with the Brooklyn Philharmonic and the National Symphony Orchestra —— as well as appearing as a guest conductor for ensembles including the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, the Indianapolis Symphony, and the Omaha Symphony.

As a composer, Haas has received commissions from Park Avenue Armory and Rubin Museum of Art in New York, Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, the Anchorage Museum of Art in Alaska, and the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design in Arkansas.

He is a graduate of both Yale University and the Juilliard School.

"I’m honored and energized to be joining The Jackson Symphony," Haas said. "This is an orchestra with deep roots and tremendous potential. I look forward to collaborating with the board, staff, musicians and community to expand our impact and create unforgettable musical experiences."

"Jackson is a city rich in cultural heritage," he added. "With the Symphony performing at the Carl Perkins Civic Center — a venue named for one of music’s greats — I see endless opportunities to honor that legacy while charting bold new artistic paths."

"We are thrilled to welcome Paul Haas to Jackson," said Greg Alexander, president of the board of directors for The Jackson Symphony Association. "His artistic vision, proven record of organizational growth, and deep commitment to community make him the ideal choice to lead the Symphony into its next chapter."