Episode 11: A Conversation with Jonathon Heyward, musical director of the Baltimore Symphany Orchestra

Excitement is bubbling over at the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra as the city awaits the official debut of Jonathan Heyward. Born in Charleston, South Carolina, he began his musical training as a cellist at the age of ten and started conducting while still at school. He studied conducting at the Boston Conservatory of Music, where he became assistant conductor of the prestigious institution’s opera department and of the Boston Opera Collaborative, and received postgraduate lessons from Sian Edwards at London’s Royal Academy of Music. Before leaving the Academy, he was appointed assistant conductor of the Hallé Orchestra, where he was mentored by Sir Mark Elder, and became Music Director of the Hallé Youth Orchestra. His debut with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain at the 2021 BBC Proms earned five-star reviews and was hailed by British newspaper The Guardian as ‘an unforgettable showcase of high-energy collaboration’.

Last spring, the Baltimore Symphony Music Director Search Committee—comprised of BSO musicians, staff and community members—voted unanimously for Jonathan Heyward to be their music director. He is the first Black person to be installed. On this episode of Notes from the Council Chambers Podcast, I chat with Jonathan Heyward about the origins of his love for music, his experiences and his upcoming tenure as Music Director for the BSO.

Council President Nick J. Mosby talks to the multi-award-winning musician and conductor on Notes from the Council Chambers Podcast to share his musical origin story, talk about his experiences in the world of classical music and his vision for the BSO.  

 

Show Notes:
Jonathon Heyward | Conductor
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra | Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (bsomusic.org)

Follow Maestro Heyward on Instagram:
@converseconductor
@baltsymphony
@bsoorchkids