Pacific Symphony today announced Alexander Shelley as its new artistic and music director beginning in the 2026-2027 season.
Shelley succeeds Carl St. Clair, who has led the orchestra for more than three decades and announced his plans to retire in 2022. St. Clair will become music director laureate and help with the transition.
“It’s a rare privilege for an orchestra to introduce a new music director,” Chief Executive and President John Forsyte said at the event. “As you all know, it’s been 35 years since we’ve done that.”
Shelley will serve as music director designate in tandem with St. Clair during the 2025-2026 season before assuming full leadership in 2026-2027.
He is set to conduct three Pacific Symphony concerts in early May at the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, featuring works from Tan Dun and Beethoven.
See the Business Journal’s Dec. 2 issue for more information.
