Tong Chen Named New Music Director of the Interschool Orchestras of New York

The InterSchool Orchestras of New York (ISO) has announced that Tong Chen will serve as its new Music Director, taking up the position on July 1, 2018.

Barbara Tracy, President of the ISO Board of Trustees, praised Ms. Chen’s appointment, saying, “Tong Chen is a wonderful addition to ISO’s artistic staff. It became clear throughout the interview process that her energy, expertise, and passion for musical excellence would take ISO to new and exciting heights. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I am pleased to welcome her to the team – we can’t wait to see what new experiences she has in store for our students.”

Tong Chen has worked with orchestras across the globe, including Orquestra Sinfônica do Estado de Sâo Paulo; Danish National Symphony; Leipzig Symphony; Mikkelin Kaupunginorkesteri; Aspen Music Festival Orchestra; Basançon Symphony; Orchestra St. Luke’s; XiaMen Symphony; QinDao Symphony; GuangZhou Symphony Orchestra; Charleston Symphony; New Jersey Symphony Orchestra and Shanghai Opera House, where she was assistant conductor from 2004 -2009. A frequent cover conductor of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra with Marin Alsop, and the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, she was also the cover conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic from 2009-2011. In 2012, Ms. Chen was chosen by Kurt Masur to receive the Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy Scholarship. A conducting fellow of the American Academy of Conducting at Aspen, Ms. Chen was mentored by David Zinman for two summers. In 2012, she was a prize winner in the International Malko Conducting Competition. The season’s highlight includes Tong’s debut with Alabama Symphony Orchestra, MSM Philharmonia, and Shanghai Philharmonic.

Currently, Ms. Chen is based in New York City, where she works as the conductor for the orchestral and graduate conducting program at Aaron Copland School of Music, CUNY.

Students, faculty, and staff are eagerly anticipating working with Ms. Chen, already calling her a “phenomenal conductor,” praising her personal connection to the players, and noting that she “clearly has a love of teaching.”

Ms. Chen will be replacing Music Director Brian Worsdale and will, in addition to her responsibilities as ISO's Music Director, conduct the the ISO Symphony. 

She expressed her excitement for being appointed, saying, “ISO is one of the best youth programs I've ever worked with. I'm thrilled to join this big family! I'm looking forward to sharing my passion for music with the next generation in New York, which I consider my second hometown. Together with Executive Director Karen Geer, ISO will bring more exciting programs that will continue inspiring and encouraging all the young musicians. I believe, through music, we can make this world a better place for our future.” 

“We are so honored to have Tong Chen join our artistic faculty,” said Karen Geer, Executive Director. “Ms. Chen has demonstrated not only her superb musicianship on the podium, but a wonderful rapport with our students. She will be instrumental in the exciting endeavors we have planned in the 2018-2019 season, including our ongoing partnership with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s and the commissioning of new works for orchestra and dancers, in collaboration with Ballet Hispanico and the New York Chinese Cultural Center. Our students can look forward to a historic year at ISO!”

Tong Chen’s appointment as Music Director marks the first time in ISO’s 46-year history that a woman has held the post. She will be formally introduced to the public at ISO’s gala honoring composer David Amram on April 18. Ms. Chen’s tenure will lead ISO towards its 50^th anniversary in the 2020-2021 season.

About ISO

Founded in 1972 and incorporated in 1974, the InterSchool Orchestras of New York (ISO) began with a single orchestra of 20 children.  Today, ISO serves more than 300 children, creating opportunities for school-aged children in New York City to make music together through six orchestras and two symphonic bands.  ISO provides a nurturing environment where all children can realize their personal best, achieve high artistic standards, and share music with the community.  The ensembles perform in major concert halls, schools and community centers, bringing great music to over 9,000 people annually.  Generous financial aid and scholarships ensure that every child can participate.  For more information, please visit http://isorch.org/.

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