Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Names First Black Music Director in Its 78-Year History

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra announced Tuesday that it has named Jonathon Heyward as its next music director, making the 33-year-old conductor the first Black music director in the orchestra's 78-year history and one of the youngest music directors of a major American orchestra.

Heyward, a Charleston, South Carolina native who currently serves as music director of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, will assume the ASO post beginning with the 2025-26 season. He will succeed Nathalie Stutzmann, who announced last year that she would not renew her contract after the current season.

"Jonathon Heyward is one of the most gifted conductors of his generation, and we are thrilled that he has chosen Atlanta as his home," said ASO Board Chair Karole Lloyd. "His artistry, his vision, and his deep commitment to community engagement make him the ideal leader for this orchestra at this moment in its history."

Heyward, who was born into a musical family and began conducting as a teenager, said he was drawn to Atlanta by the city's energy, its diversity, and the ASO's reputation for artistic excellence and community engagement.

“Atlanta is one of the great American cities, and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra is one of the great American orchestras," Heyward said in a statement. "I am hum”

"Atlanta is one of the great American cities, and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra is one of the great American orchestras," Heyward said in a statement. "I am humbled and honored to be entrusted with its future. We are going to make music that reflects the full richness of this city and this community."

The appointment carries particular significance given the ASO's history. The orchestra was founded in 1945 and has long been considered one of the finest regional orchestras in the country, winning 27 Grammy Awards — more than any other American orchestra. But like many major cultural institutions, it has been slow to diversify its leadership.

Heyward's appointment comes as orchestras across the country are grappling with questions of representation, relevance, and how to attract younger and more diverse audiences. His track record in Baltimore — where he has been credited with significant audience growth and a series of innovative community programs — suggests he is well-positioned to address those challenges in Atlanta.

"This is a historic moment for the ASO and for Atlanta," said Mayor Dickens, who attended the announcement. "Maestro Heyward represents the best of what this city aspires to be: world-class, inclusive, and always moving forward."