Maestro Cho awarded 3-year contract extension with Lubbock Symphony

Lubbock Symphony Orchestra’s longtime music director Maestro David Cho has agreed to conduct the ensemble for at least four more years, inking a contract extension through the 2026-27 concert season, the organization announced Thursday.

Cho is midway through his 11th season leading the orchestra. He began his tenure with LSO during the 2012-13 season. Previously, Cho’s contract ran through the 2023-24 season.

“On behalf of the whole Lubbock Symphony board, we are excited to continue this relationship with Maestro Cho,” LSO board chair Brian Willcutt said. “For the past 11 seasons, David has engaged our community and shared his passion for the city of Lubbock and our orchestra.”

Cho has previously conducted the symphonies of Seattle, Houston Austin and San Antonio and collaborated with guest artists such as Yo-Yo Ma, Renée Fleming and Joshua Bell. Cho was appointed the orchestra’s seventh music director in 2011 after making guest appearances in Lubbock in 2007 and 2009. Prior to his move to Lubbock, Cho served as associate conductor for the Utah Symphony in Salt Lake City from 2006 to 2011.

Related: Lubbock Symphony Orchestra to kick off Masterworks Series with Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet

“I am grateful to continue serving the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra as Music Director. The Lubbock community is filled with exceptionally talented musicians, and it is an honor to lead them on stage. I’d also like to extend my gratitude to the incredibly supportive and generous patrons of the Lubbock Symphony,” Cho said. “I am thankful to continue to call Lubbock my home!”

Cho was born in Seoul, South Korea and immigrated to the U.S. in 1985, according to Avalanche-Journal archives. He studied music as a child in Palos Verdes, California, later focusing on piano. Cho earned a bachelor’s degree in piano performance from Oberlin College and Conservatory and a master’s degree in piano performance from the Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University.

“David has continued to push our organization further, bringing new and exciting programs to Lubbock. Our staff and musicians look forward to seeing what he envisions for the coming years,” said Galen Wixson, LSO president and CEO.

The orchestra’s 2022-23 masterworks series, part of its season titled “Symphonic Scenes,” continues Jan. 21 at the Buddy Holly Hall with “A Dance in Vienna” featuring the music of Dvořák, Brahms and Schoenberg. The season will also feature a guest appearance in February from Filharmonie Brno, the first European orchestra to visit Lubbock.

Tickets and more information on all the season’s concerts is available at lubbocksymphony.org.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Maestro David Cho awarded 3-year contract extension with Lubbock Symphony