SYRACUSE — Symphoria, Central New York’s symphony orchestra, today announced the hiring of Lawrence Loh as full-time music director beginning at the start of the 2015-16 season.
Loh currently serves as resident conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Symphoria said in a news release today.
He also was music director of the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra and holds the same position with the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area, a position Loh will maintain once he joins Symphoria, according to the news release.
Symphoria sees the hiring as “taking another step towards restoring a long-time reputation as a top-tier, mid-size city symphony,” it said in the release.
In his role as Symphoria’s music director, Loh will be the primary conductor and provide artistic leadership for the orchestra, including major roles in programming, artistic personnel, and outreach.
Loh is no stranger to Syracuse.
He guest conducted with Symphoria last November, Catherine Underhill, managing director, said in the news release.
“We know that his musical stewardship will help create momentum for growth in a very positive way,” Underhill said. “Additionally, Larry has family in the Syracuse area and has told me he is looking forward to relocating here and becoming part of what he thinks is a wonderful community that is filled with culture and friendly people.”
Loh and his wife Jennifer have a son, Charlie, and a daughter, Hilary, according to Symphoria.
Symphoria audiences will have a chance to see Loh during the upcoming 2014-15 season as guest conductor of the Sept. 27 and March 28 Masterworks concerts, the orchestra said.
Symphoria, which nearly 50 members of the former Syracuse Symphony Orchestra founded, is one of only two co-op orchestras in the U.S.
Symphoria performs at the Crouse Hinds Theater in the John H. Mulroy Civic Center at 411 Montgomery St. in Syracuse and other venues throughout the region.
Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com