The Juneau Symphony announced Monday that Brad Hogarth will serve as their new music director. One of four candidates who guest-conducted during the Symphony’s previous season, Hogarth was selected as director through a membership vote with input from both the audience and musicians.
Charlotte Truitt, executive director, said she is excited to welcome him to the “Juneau Symphony family.”
“His energy and artistic leadership will guide us into an inspiring next chapter,” she said.
Hogarth is an associate professor of conducting at San Francisco State University and associate conductor of the Monterey Symphony. He serves as the music director at the Art Haus Collective and the Peninsula Youth Orchestra, and also plays trumpet with various other orchestras.
“The Juneau Symphony is a really special organization, the musicians are so dedicated, and the community is so warm,” Hogarth said. “I’ve loved Southeast Alaska for a long time and I’m thrilled to be chosen as the next music director.”
His April trial was part of the symphony’s “There And Back Again” program, which featured performances in Sitka and Juneau. He said that the trip showcased one of his favorite parts of Juneau Symphony community.
“We got on the boat and went to Sitka and brought the concert to Sitka and I think a part of what made that so special was just how excited the Juneau Symphony was to do that,” Hogarth said. “Everybody’s willingness and eagerness to spread the music was one of my favorite things about it.”
According to Hogarth, he’s composing new plans for the Symphony, but he doesn’t want to get ahead of the beat.
“We’re gonna focus on a lot of the favorites that people know but also we’re bringing in some really exciting compositions people might not have heard of,” he said. “We’re looking at lots of different sorts of community collaborations and things like that so there’s a lot in store.”
The 63rd season will begin this fall, and details can be found at juneausymphony.org.
• Ellie Ruel can be contacted via editor@juneauempire.com.
