James Ross, who has led the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra since the 2018-19 season, will step down as music director after the 2025-26 season.
According to the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, Ross has informed the Board of Trustees of his intention to step down as Music Director following the soon-to-be-announced season. The orchestra’s Board of Trustees has unanimously named Ross as Music Director Laureate, a role he’ll take on following his departure.
“All of Alexandria has benefited from the creativity and vision that James has brought to the Symphony over his eight seasons. We are fortunate that he will continue to be appearing with us in the future in his new and duly deserved role,” said Board Chair Nancy Davenport.
Ross, who is also the Director of Orchestral Studies at the Curtis Institute of Music, will join the conducting faculty at the Tanglewood Music Center this summer.
“The passing of time is something that music embodies in a very palpable and singular way. Every moment in the middle of a piece connects organically back to its beginning and sends simultaneous arrows flying towards its potential futures,” says James Ross. “My time at the Alexandria Symphony is now at such a moment. My upcoming eighth season as Music Director will be my last in that capacity before morphing elegantly into the role of Music Director Laureate. I am beyond grateful to all those who have supported me and our orchestra along this musical journey….who have kept us safe and thriving and heard. As we unveil our plans for this celebratory next season, I look back with pride at what our orchestra has become, what it has achieved in these tumultuous times. My love for the city and community of Alexandria remains steadfast – a place I have come to know as home. As newly minted Music Director Laureate, I will look forward to continuing to reflect on life at each very moment through the clarifying lens of phrases and sounds made by our beloved ASO.”
The symphony is assembling a search committee to find its next music director.
The orchestra plans to announce the details of Ross’s final season as music director in the coming weeks.
