The Pacific Symphony has a new music director to succeed longtime conductor Carl St.Clair, who will remain with the symphony he has led for three decades, officials announced Wednesday.
Alexander Shelley will be the orchestra’s third music director, starting in 2026. His term is for five years.
St.Clair will transition to Music Director Laureate for next season as Shelley is Music Director Designate to help smooth the passing of the conductor’s baton, officials said.
St.Clair has led the symphony, which was founded in 1978, since 1990.
“What an exciting day for Pacific Symphony,” St.Clair said. “I am pleased and honored to welcome Alexander Shelley as the third music director of Pacific Symphony. His exceptional talents as a conductor, music director and community leader have been celebrated and praised internationally. More importantly, he has captured the hearts of Pacific Symphony musicians and inspired them deeply.”
Shelley said he was “filled with excitement about leading Pacific Symphony — a versatile, vibrant organization that has enmeshed itself so deeply in the culture, community and imagination of Southern California through the commitment of Carl St.Clair, the musicians and the administration.
“Since my first visits to Orange County as a boy, its natural beauty and human dynamism have resonated with me deeply,” he added. “Serving this community, inspiring its youth and enriching its cultural life will be an honor and a joy. The artistic excellence, flexibility and passion of this great orchestra have struck me since our first meeting. I look forward to building on these deep foundations, growing the reach and renown of the orchestra, and reaffirming the power and importance of music in our world through innovative programming and committed performances.”
Shelley’s experience includes serving as music director of the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, Canada, and as principal associate conductor of London’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra since 2015.
Last year, he was named artistic and music director at Artis-Naples in Florida as the leader of the Naples Philharmonic.
From 2009-2017, he served as the youngest chief conductor of Germany’s Nurnberger Symphoniker.
Pacific Symphony Board Chairman Arthur Ong said the board of directors was “thrilled” to hire Shelley and “fortunate that Carl will continue to be a vital presence as music director laureate for many years to come.”