The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra announced Dec. 10 the extension of Music Director Courtney Lewis’s contract through June 2032.
“Under Courtney Lewis’ leadership, the Symphony reaches new levels of excellence year after year,” President and CEO Steven Libman said in a news release. “His high musical standards and deep rapport with our musicians have elevated the ensemble to new artistic heights. Courtney’s passion and his belief that orchestral music is essential to a thriving community embody the values that guide our mission.”
While his current contract is in force through 2027, the board voted last month to approve a five-year extension. Lewis became music director in 2015, a position endowed by Preston Haskell in 2009.
“Courtney’s vision and leadership have propelled the Jacksonville Symphony forward in remarkable ways. His contract extension reflects the Board’s confidence in his ability to inspire, challenge and elevate the orchestra. We are excited for what the next several seasons will bring as he continues the Symphony’s artistic trajectory,” board Chair Matthew Marcin said in the release.
Lewis’ tenure has been defined by an expansion of the orchestra’s repertoire from Mahler and Bruckner symphonies to modern masterpieces and a renewed commitment to presenting the music of today’s leading composers, the symphony said.
“It has been the greatest honor of my life to lead this wonderful orchestra for the last decade,” Lewis said in the release. “I believe they’re now one of the finest in the country and I’m delighted to be continuing to work with them for the foreseeable future.”
Lewis has appeared with major orchestras including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Minnesota Orchestra, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Grant Park Orchestra, George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra and Hallé Orchestra. Before his work in Jacksonville, he was assistant conductor of the New York Philharmonic and held leadership roles with the Minnesota Orchestra and Boston’s Discovery Ensemble.
The Jacksonville Symphony offers live performances at Jacoby Symphony Hall in the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts and other venues throughout the area. According to its website, the symphony reaches more than 155,500 people through nearly 100 performances each season. In addition, the Symphony provides music instruction for youth and operates the Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestras.