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Press Releases
Robert Moody Announced as Next Music Director of the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 25, 2024
Press contact: Ben Newman
ROBERT MOODY ANNOUNCED AS NEXT MUSIC DIRECTOR
OF THE BALTIMORE CHAMBER ORCHESTRA.
June 25, 2024 | BALTIMORE, MD – The Baltimore Chamber Orchestra (BCO) has named internationally acclaimed conductor Robert Moody as Music Director. A frequent collaborator with many of the world’s leading composers, ensembles and performers including Yo-Yo Ma, Renée Fleming, Mason Bates, Kevin Puts, Canadian Brass, Time for Three, among many others, Maestro Moody begins his three-year contract in the 2024-25 season.
“I am completely delighted that Robert Moody has accepted our offer to become the BCO’s new Music Director.” Search Committee Chair and BCO Trustee Kim Golden said. “After leading the Orchestra in a challenging program featuring two rarely performed modern masterpieces by Adolphus Hailstork and Ellen Taaffe Zwilich and a sparkling interpretation of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4, the strong connection between Robert and our musicians was undeniable.”
In addition to his position as Music Director of the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, Robert Moody currently serves as Music Director for Arizona Musicfest, the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, and as Principal Conductor for Lakeland Opera (FL). Some of his 2024-25 season debuts include the Kansas City Symphony and Tulsa Opera alongside opera superstar Renée Fleming and internationally with the Tampere Philharmonic in Finland, and Timisoara Philharmonic in Rumania.
“I’m so honored to be asked to lead this magnificent Mid-Atlantic orchestra into its next chapter.” Robert Moody said. “From our very first rehearsal I sensed an incredibly strong chemistry between me and the players. This orchestra already plays at a level of artistry on par with some of the best orchestras in the country and the synergy we have are the perfect ingredients for exponential growth. I can’t wait to get started!”
Following a year-long search during the 2023-24 season that saw five finalists selected from a pool of more than 130 applicants from 9 countries and 41 states conduct the Orchestra, Moody will serve as only the 3rd Music Director in the orchestra’s 40-year history. The Music Director Search Committee was composed of BCO musicians, Trustees, subscribers, and Baltimore area community leaders who were unanimous in their selection of Robert Moody. “Collaborating with Robert to present two very different and challenging solo pieces during the orchestra’s season finale concert in May was a very special experience for both of us.” Search Committee members Audrey Wright (BCO Concertmaster) and Chiara Kingsley Dieguez (BCO Principal Viola) said. “We’ve both worked with several different conductors from across the country, and all five Finalists during this past season, but working with Robert on a concert where both of us performed as soloists and section leaders demonstrated an extraordinary level of artistic excellence that will be a tremendous addition to our wonderful Orchestra.”
“I feel very fortunate to partner with a musical leader of Robert’s caliber and experience to bring the BCO to even greater heights,” BCO’s Executive Director Ben Newman added. The BCO’s 2024-25 season will be the first in Robert Moody’s three-year contract and will be announced in the coming weeks.
ABOUT ROBERT MOODY
Internationally acclaimed conductor Robert Moody is currently enjoying his 18th season as Music Director of Arizona Musicfest, his 9th season as Music Director of The Memphis Symphony Orchestra (Tennessee), and his highly anticipated 1st season as Music Director of the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra.
Under his artistic leadership, AZ Musicfest has become the premiere winter music festival orchestra in North America, boasting a roster of players from the world’s greatest orchestras. The Memphis Symphony has enjoyed exponential growth in programming, recording, new commissions, and the Orchestra’s endowment to over $25 million dollars during Moody’s tenure. In 2022 he was named Principal Conductor for Lakeland Opera (FL); where he leads one major opera production each January including recent productions of Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana and Puccini’s Madama Butterfly.
Moody was named Music Director of the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra starting in the 2024-25 season. Prior positions have included Music Director for both the Portland Symphony (ME) and the Winston-Salem Symphony (NC). Earlier in his career, he held conducting positions with the Phoenix Symphony, Evansville Philharmonic, Santa Fe Opera, Brevard Music Center, Interschool Orchestras of New York City, and apprenticed at Landestheater Opera in Linz, Austria.
He has led many of the world’s major orchestras and opera companies, including the Chicago Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Toronto Symphony, Dallas and Houston Symphonies, the Minnesota Orchestra, Washington National Opera, Aachen and Baden Baden Symphony Orchestras in Germany, Orquesta Filarmonica de Bogotá (Colombia), and the Vienna Chamber Orchestra (Austria). He is also a frequent guest conductor in South Africa, where he leads concerts with the three major orchestras there – Cape Town, Johannesburg, and the KZN Philharmonic in Durban.
In addition to South Africa, guest conducting debuts this season include the Kansas City Symphony, Tulsa Opera, Tampere Philharmonic (Finland), and the Timisoara Philharmonic (Rumania). He is also thrilled to return to the Sewanee Summer Music Festival (TN), National Repertory Orchestra (CO), Portland Symphony (ME), and the Greensboro Symphony (NC).
A frequent collaborator with opera superstar Renée Fleming, he will conduct her on multiple occasions in the 2024-25 season performing Kevin Puts’ The Brightness of Light (also with Rod Gilfry) and “Voice of Nature,” the song cycle created for Ms. Fleming with National Geographic.
Moody’s work can be heard on several commercial recordings, including the Canadian Brass albums Bach and Legends, R. Carlos Nokai’s Fourth World album, and with Memphis Symphony Orchestra and trumpet legend Ryan Anthony on his Re:Mission Rubato album.
Robert is also a close friend and collaborator with Grammy winning composer Mason Bates. Their friendship spans over 30 years, and Moody was the first conductor to commission a full orchestral work from Bates. Robert also commissioned several major works of Mason’s, including Rusty Air in Carolina, and the much lauded Desert Transport. He is excited to lead a premiere performance of Bates’ newest work – a triple concerto, for Grammy Award winning ensemble Time For Three.
A South Carolina native, Moody holds degrees from Furman University and the Eastman School of Music, where he earned his conducting degree with Donald Neuen. Additional studies included an undergraduate term abroad in Vienna, Austria, and a summer of study with Otto Werner Mueller at Le Domaine Forget in Quebec. He is a Rotarian and has served on the boards of AIDs Care Services, Winston-Salem YMCA, WDAV Classical Radio, and the Charlotte Master Chorale.
Moody celebrates the life and work of organist Jimmy Jones, his spouse of 18 years who passed away unexpectedly early in 2024. He now dedicates all his musical endeavors to Jimmy. Moody lives in Memphis with their two dogs; he is an avid runner, swimmer, history buff, “Jeopardy!” addict, and snow-skier.
ABOUT THE BALTIMORE CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
Founded in 1984, the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra (BCO) is a distinguished, vibrant ensemble with a 40-year history of presenting high-quality performances that have significantly enhanced the cultural vibrancy of Baltimore and its surrounding communities. Characterized by its reputation for artistic excellence, community programs, and a commitment to nurturing both established and emerging talent, the BCO attracts world-class soloists, composers, and conductors, performing a wide range of classical and contemporary works. The BCO has also made several professional album recordings, embarked on international tours, and commissioned several new works from some of the brightest composers of today, further establishing its reputation on the global stage.
Since its first performance on January 29, 1984, led by Maestra Anne Harrigan, the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra has grown to occupy an essential niche in Baltimore’s thriving arts scene. Maestro Markand Thakar succeeded Anne Harrigan as Music Director in June 2004 leading BCO to flourish as one of the Mid-Atlantic’s most vital cultural institutions through key artistic appointments of luminaries such as Jonathan Leshnoff, named BCO’s Composer in Residence in 2007; violinist Madeline Adkins, BCO’s former Concertmaster and current Concertmaster of the Utah Symphony; New York Philharmonic violinist Audrey Wright, BCO’s Concertmaster since the fall of 2019; and a performance partnership with the Stulberg International String Competition featuring the Gold Medalist of the annual competition, which saw cellist Zlatomir Fung (the youngest ever winner of the prestigious Tchaikovsky Competition) perform with the orchestra; and many more. In recent seasons the orchestra has recorded three CDs released by Naxos Records, given five concerts on tour in China, presented a New York debut praised by The New York Times, and performed on the University of Delaware’s Masterplayers series.
The orchestra’s roster features thirty of the area’s best professional musicians who perform in the 973-seat Kraushaar Auditorium at Goucher College. A committed and enthusiastic Board of Trustees composed of 17 community leaders dedicated to artistic innovation, education, and community engagement oversee the organization’s operations, generate partnerships to expand the visibility of the orchestra, and ensure BCO’s legacy as a cherished and enduring presence in the region’s classical music scene.
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