Courtney Lewis takes over for Fabio Machetti, the symphony’s longtime music director and principal conductor.
Lewis was recently appointed assistant conductor of New York Philharmonic, which is effective in September. He is cofounder and music director of Boston’s Discovery Ensemble chamber orchestra.
He turns 30 on Thursday.
According to the Philharmonic’s website, Lewis was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He studied at the University of Cambridge and Royal Northern College of Music.
Mechetti conducted his final two concerts in the role in recent weeks. He was with the organization since 1999, according to the symphony’s website.
Founded in 1949, the symphony is a nonprofit and educational organization with a mission “to bring great music to all walks of life.” The orchestra is housed at the Robert E. Jacoby Symphony Hall at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts, which also served as the backdrop to Wednesday’s announcement.
The 2014-15 season starts in September. Other events, such as Saturday’s Starry Nights program will feature the symphony with Chicago as an opener.
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