Sofia Jeannin has been announced as the next Chief Conductor of ARS NOVA. Her collaboration with the Copenhagen-based vocal ensemble is already underway, and her contract runs until the end of the 2026-27 season. Jeannin, who has replaced Paul Hillier, will continue in her existing positions as Chief Conductor of the BBC Singers and Music Director of Maîtrise de Radio France.
The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO) has announced the appointment of Mark Wigglesworth as Chief Conductor and Chloé van Soeterstède as Principal Guest Conductor. The duo will start their tenure at the beginning of the 2024-25 season for an initial four-year period. Wigglesworth, who initially joined the BSO in 2021 as Principal Guest Conductor, will be the orchestra’s first British conductor to hold this role with the BSO in over 60 years, replacing Kirill Karabits who will become Conductor Laureate. Joining the duo will be Enyi Okpara who becomes the BSO’s Calleva Assistant Conductor next season. This bursary-supported training position provides the successful young conductor with a platform to launch a professional career through performance opportunities and mentoring.
Danish conductor Thomas Dausgaard seems to be in high demand at the moment. Following last month’s news of his appointment as Principal Guest Conductor of the RTVE Symphony Orchestra and Choir, the Copenhagen Phil has announced that he will become its Honorary Guest Conductor from the upcoming 2024-25 season, for the next four seasons.
Stanislav Kochanovsky will become the Chief Conductor of the NDR Radiophilharmonie at the start of the 2024-25 season. Following the announcement, he recently appeared with the Hannover-based orchestra conducting in a rare performance
of Respighi’s Violin Concerto with German violinist
Frank Peter Zimmermann.
The Oakland Symphony has appointed Kedrick Armstrong as its new Music Director. This multifaceted role will include conducting appearances and participation in the orchestra’s many educational and community engagement programmes. The 29-year-old African-American conductor, known for his musical excellence and commitment to equity, is currently the Creative Partner and Principal Conductor of the Knox-Galesburg Symphony. Armstrong’s appointment follows an extensive two-year search to replace
long-time Music Director Michael Morgan, who died unexpectedly in 2021 after 30 years with the orchestra.
The Pasadena Symphony Orchestra has appointed American conductor Brett Mitchell as Music Director, with immediate effect. Mitchell, who has signed a five-year contract with the orchestra, will continue his position of Artistic Director and Conductor of Oregon’s Sunriver Music Festival.
Photo: Chloé van Soeterstède and Mark Wigglesworth Photo: © Mark Allan