Jonathon Heyward Named Music Director of Baltimore Symphony Orchestra

Heyward begins his five-year contract in the 2023-24 season

29-year-old, American-born conductor Jonathon Heyward has been appointed Music Director and holder of the Harvey M. and Lyn P. Meyerhoff Chair at the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO). He will serve as Music Director Designate for the upcoming 2022-23 season and lead two weeks of performances in May 2023.

He succeeds Marin Alsop after a 14-year tenure as the BSO’s music director and BSO OrchKids Founder.

“It is a tremendous honor to join the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra at this exciting time in its long and distinguished history,” said Heyward. “I believe we have a great opportunity to build on the storied achievements of the orchestra under Marin Alsop’s inspirational leadership and to explore the many ways in which we can reach the greatest number of people at home and overseas.

"I am passionate about the power of symphonic music to bring audiences together and to speak to all communities," he added. "The Baltimore Symphony’s irresistible artistry, energy, and optimism were clear to me from the first moment we rehearsed together earlier this year. We shared a special chemistry then and in the concerts we have given since. I look forward to seeing where that can take us in the years ahead."

A graduate of the Boston Conservatory of Music, where he became assistant conductor of its opera department and of the Boston Opera Collaborative, Heyward then received postgraduate lessons from Sian Edwards at London’s Royal Academy of Music. He later served as assistant conductor of the Hallé Orchestra, where he was mentored by Sir Mark Elder. Heyward currently serves as the Chief Conductor of the Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie. He recently led two successful engagements with the BSO including a Benefit Concert for Ukraine in March 2022.

"It was equally as important for us to find a music director who would be a visionary leader with the potential to connect to the community, be visible in the world at large, and be an advocate for music and musicians," the BSO statement reads. "Our bar was high, but it has been met."

“Magic struck when Jonathon took the stage in March, and the chemistry between him and the orchestra was apparent from his first moments on the podium,” said Percussionist and Chair of the Players’ Committee Brian Prechtl. “Jonathon's unique programming, strong communication skills, and ability to push the orchestra with new ideas demonstrated some of the most important musical traits we've been looking for in a music director.”