The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra has named Jonathon Heyward as its next Music Director. The 29-year-old American conductor will begin his initial five-year contract in September 2023, serving as Music Director Designate from the start of the next season. He succeeds Marin Alsop, who held the post from 2007 to 2021.

‘It is a tremendous honour to join the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra at this exciting time in its long and distinguished history,’ Heyward said. ‘I believe we have a great opportunity to build on the storied achievements of the orchestra under Marin Alsop’s truly inspired leadership, including her founding of the BSO’s OrchKids programme, and to explore the many ways in which we can reach the greatest number of people at home and overseas.’

Following his debut with the BSO in March, Heyward was invited to conduct the orchestra’s Benefit Concert for Ukraine, both concerts demonstrating ‘an immediate and special connection between Jonathon and the musicians of the BSO,’ according to Mark Hanson, the orchestra’s President and CEO.

Heyward studied conducting at the Boston Conservatory of Music, before receiving postgraduate lessons from Sian Edwards at London’s Royal Academy of Music. He was then appointed Assistant Conductor of the Hallé Orchestra under the mentorship of Sir Mark Elder, where he also became Music Director of the Hallé Youth Orchestra. At the beginning of 2021, he took up the post of Chief Conductor of the Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie – then aged 28, he was exactly the same age as Andris Nelsons was when he began his time in charge of the ensemble.
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