GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Symphony has a new music director.
Conductor Marcelo Lehninger has been named the 14th music director in the 86-year history of the orchestra.
Lehninger is from Brazil and has conducted the Grand Rapids Symphony twice in the past two seasons, including a performance of Dvorak’s “New World” Symphony No. 9 in February 2015 and Respighi’s “Pines of Rome” this past April.
“In each case, it was an expression of magic and passion that reached new heights,” said Mary Tuuk, co-chair of the 14-member Search Committee, of Lehninger’s appearances in DeVos Performance Hall. She said that the choice of Lehninger was unanimous.
Lehninger, 36, will be in charge of all artistic matters for the Grand Rapids Symphony, which operates its 40-week season on a budget of $9 million. He was recently the music director of the New West Symphony Orchestra in Los Angeles.
The symphony conducted a three-year search for a new music director and Lehninger was one of only two conductors invited back for a second appearance.
