Tham to join the conducting staff for the Symphony’s 2022-23 season
Today, the Oregon Symphony announces the appointment of Deanna Tham as the Harold and Arlene Schnitzer Associate Conductor. In this role Tham will support the artistic development of the orchestra in close partnership with Music Director David Danzmayr, and conduct Classical, Pop, Youth, Film and Contemporary Popular Artist concerts. Tham has long been an advocate of music education and in her role she will assist the Oregon Symphony in the shaping of youth and community education programs.
“I am so honored to be joining the conducting staff at the Oregon Symphony and look forward to working with Music Director David Danzmayr and the incredible musicians of the orchestra,” says Tham. "Portland is a wonderfully unique city and I'm eager to explore and serve this amazing community."
Tham brings years of experience to the role, currently serving as Music Director at the Union Symphony Orchestra, and previously as Assistant Conductor of the Omaha Symphony, Jacksonville Symphony and the Chicago Sinfonietta. She will make her conducting debut with the Oregon Symphony at the beginning of the 2022-23 season, replacing current Associate Conductor Norman Huynh, who is leaving to join Bozeman Symphony as Music Director.
“Deanna will bring an exciting and unique presence to the conducting podium,” says David Danzmayr, Music Director of the Oregon Symphony. “Her skills as a conductor and passion for music education are a perfect match for the Oregon Symphony.”
About Deanna Tham
Deanna Tham is currently Music Director at the Union Symphony Orchestra. Most recently, she was the Assistant Conductor of the Omaha Symphony. She has also been Assistant Conductor of the Jacksonville Symphony and of the Chicago Sinfonietta and has worked for the Boise Philharmonic Association, Louisville Youth Orchestra, National Youth Orchestra, The Cleveland Orchestra and American Chamber Opera. Tham holds a Professional Studies Certificate from the Cleveland Institute of Music in Orchestral Conducting and she received her Master of Music in conducting program honors from Northwestern University. Tham also received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in horn performance from Carnegie Mellon University.
Tham is an advocate of music education focusing on youth orchestral performing opportunities. She has also created and presented an educational concert series in a variety of formats. She has written original school curriculum-based programs and collaborated with organizations including Really Inventive Stuff, the Louisville Ballet Academy, and the International Culinary Arts and Sciences Institute.
About Oregon Symphony
The multi-Grammy Award-nominated Oregon Symphony ranks as one of America’s major orchestras. Led by Music Director David Danzmayr, it serves more than 250,000 people annually through live concerts and award-winning education and community engagement programs. The Oregon Symphony has broken attendance and fundraising records in recent years, while innovating on stage through new series such as SoundSights, Sounds of Home, and SoundStories. Additionally, online programming and syndicated broadcasts reach tens of millions more people throughout the world. The 2021-2022 season marked the 125th anniversary for the Oregon Symphony, the oldest orchestra in the Western United States. For more information, visit www.orsymphony.org.
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