The St. Louis Symphony has named Gemma New the incoming resident conductor.
New’s responsibilities will include conducting various concerts through the season and acting as music director for the St. Louis Symphony’s Youth Orchestra. The New Zealand-born conductor also will assist Music Director David Robertson and guest conductors during rehearsals.
She is particularly excited about working with Robertson.
“He is so thorough about his interpretation ideas and very, very clear and powerful with the way he conducts music,” New said.
New comes to St. Louis from Ontario, Canada, where she serves as music director for the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra. She also is the associate conductor of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra and founder and director of the contemporary music collective Lunar Ensemble in Baltimore, Md.
She will replace Steven Jarvi, who held the position since 2013.
The conductor’s professional career began with a youth orchestra. She’s thrilled to work with another youth orchestra.
“There’s something very special about growing with young people, discovering this music and orchestral playing, and growing as people as much as becoming great musicians,” New said.
The appointment begins with the start of the 2016-2017 performance season.
