Nashville, Tenn. (September 19, 2016) – The Nashville Symphony today announced that music director Giancarlo Guerrero has agreed to a five-year contract extension. Under the terms of the new contract, Guerrero will continue his leadership of the orchestra through the 2024/25 concert season, which would make him the second-longest-serving conductor in the orchestra’s history.

 

“I am deeply grateful to this community for embracing my family and me so warmly,” Guerrero said. “Middle Tennessee is truly our home. I have made this commitment to the Nashville Symphony because I am fiercely proud of all that we have accomplished together and so excited about what we will dream up next. Over the next few years, I look forward to building on this orchestra’s well-earned reputation for artistic excellence and adventurous programming with new projects that will continue our unique commitment to American orchestral music.”

 

The seventh music director in the Nashville Symphony’s 70-year history, Guerrero assumed his role in 2009 and has overseen a period of remarkable success for the organization. His extended commitment to the orchestra is rare in the classical music industry and will play a key role in helping the Nashville Symphony sustain its mission of artistic excellence, fostering new American repertoire and serving the Middle Tennessee community. Already under Guerrero’s leadership, the orchestra has garnered five of its eight GRAMMY® Awards and presented eight world premieres, while also recording nine critically acclaimed albums, to cement the Nashville Symphony’s reputation as one of the most active recording orchestras in the country.

 

“Giancarlo Guerrero is the embodiment of a true 21st-century music director,” said Mark Peacock, Nashville Symphony board chair. “Not only has he established incredibly high artistic standards for the orchestra, he has also forged a deep and enduring connection with Middle Tennessee audiences. Giancarlo fervently believes in the Nashville Symphony’s mission of providing great music and education programs for everyone, and he unfailingly demonstrates his commitment through his active role in the community and his willingness to devote so much of his time and energy on behalf of this organization.”

 

Since Guerrero’s appointment, the Nashville Symphony has gained increasing national and international attention for its prolific recording output and for forward-thinking collaborations with Nashville-based artists including Ben Folds, Béla Fleck, Edgar Meyer and others.

 

“Maestro Guerrero has enthusiastically and expertly executed an artistic mission worthy of Music City,” said Alan D. Valentine, Nashville Symphony president and CEO. “He has played a critical role in helping our orchestra build a legacy of excellence and innovation, while establishing an exciting vision for our future. He is ever-mindful of the importance of keeping orchestral music relevant to today’s audiences, and he has selflessly devoted his time, talent and expertise to the Symphony’s education and community engagement programs, extending his impact on our community well beyond the stage. I am excited about our work together and look forward to seeing Giancarlo take our phenomenal musicians on tour to share their incredible sound with audiences outside of Nashville.”

 

The Nashville Symphony recently opened its 70th anniversary season, which also marks its 10th anniversary at Schermerhorn Symphony Center. The orchestra’s Aegis Sciences Classical Series includes at least one work by an American composer on every program this season, as well as five live recordings and the world premiere of a commission by bassist Edgar Meyer. The Symphony will also add to its award-winning discography with the release of its 26th, 27th and 28th recordings on Naxos with collections devoted to composers Michael Daugherty (released September 9), Richard Danielpour (due October 14) and Jennifer Higdon (due spring 2017).