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Duncan Ward appointed Chief Conductor of philharmonie zuidnederland

Fri 11 December 2020

Duncan Ward appointed Chief Conductor of philharmonie zuidnederland

The Trinity Laban alum will take up the post in September 2021

Duncan Ward, a Junior Trinity alum and former Sir Charles Mackerras Junior Fellow in Conducting at Trinity Laban, has been appointed as the new Chief Conductor of philharmonie zuidnederland effective September 2021.

The British-born conductor will initially hold the position with the professional symphony orchestra of the Southern Netherlands for three seasons.

Duncan, who made his debut with philharmonie zuidnederland at the Amsterdam Concertgebouw last season, commented –

“I felt a natural connection with the orchestra from the first rehearsal and was very excited by our musical exchange on one of the most notoriously demanding works in the repertoire – Debussy’s Jeux. I sensed that this was a palette of colours and a collection of open, curious musicians that I would love to get to know better.”

This is Duncan’s second appointment this year, after he became the first ever Musical Director of the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence’s Mediterranean Youth Orchestra in January. He will hold the position for an initial term of three years. The new role gives Duncan the opportunity to build on the orchestra’s activities and reputation from audition processes and artistic planning, through to learning experiences and performances in Aix and on tour.

Other recent highlights include conducting the London Symphony Orchestra in July. The livestreamed concert was the orchestra’s first after four months of national lockdown. The programme included works by Berstein, Berlioz and Gershwin.

Image: Duncan Ward (credit Peter Hoare)