Symphony Extends Heuser's Contract to 2024

Friday, January 4, 2019 at 9:28 AM

Season ticket sales in Farmington have doubled since Heuser's arrival, and performances of the San Juan Symphony are regularly sold out at the Community Concert Hall in Durango. Heuser is credited with creating an atmosphere of increased professionalism and respect in the orchestra, which has translated into breathtaking performances of the highest quality. Thanks to Heuser's new Family Concert initiative, audiences of all ages have been able to enjoy the Symphony, and his pre-concert lecture series has attracted a large and devoted following.

The San Juan Symphony has signed a contract extension with Thomas Heuser to serve as Music Director for the next five seasons through 2024. The Symphony's upcoming concerts in February and April 2019 mark the culmination of Heuser's initial three-year contract, which has been a period of growth for both conductor and orchestra alike.

"Thank you to the communities of Durango and Farmington for your incredible support," remarked Heuser in a prepared statement. "I am honored and immensely grateful to be your music director, and I am excited for the future of the San Juan Symphony as we keep building our momentum together."

Heuser has also been music director of the Idaho Falls Symphony since 2011, a position he plans to keep along with the San Juan Symphony and possibly others as well. Currently he is a music director finalist with the Wyoming Symphony Orchestra and Symphony New Hampshire. Having multiple jobs comes with the territory; conductors regularly hold simultaneous music director positions in order to further their careers.

"We have the potential for so much growth at the San Juan Symphony," Heuser continued, "particularly in the areas of music education and community outreach. I applaud our musicians, staff, Board and volunteers for all that we have achieved over the past three years of dedicated hard work. Moving forward I hope to increase our engagement, to continue presenting masterworks at a professional level, and to reach new and younger audiences."

Details about the upcoming 2019-20 season will be announced soon. Meanwhile please visit www.sanjuansymphony.org to get involved with the San Juan Symphony, purchase tickets, or find out more about Maestro Heuser and his cadre of musicians from around the Four Corners.

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