Dear SFCO Family,

I love the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra! The distinct honor and great pleasure of leading this outstanding ensemble for the past twenty-one years has been the most meaningful professional association of my life. I cherish the friendships I have made, the music I have learned and the thrill of working with an absolutely first-class professional ensemble. However, I am ready for new challenges and new adventures, playing a bit more viola (and bassoon!), travelling, spending time with my two grandkids, and exploring what is next in my life. This is a bittersweet transition for me – I will miss you all terribly, orchestra members and audience members alike and the relationships we have built together through the SFCO.

I am truly excited about collaborating with the orchestra for my two final MainStage concerts as Music Director, bringing Copland, Barber, Stravinsky, Schubert, PDQ Bach, Mendelssohn, Haydn, soprano Ann Moss and violinist Amaryn Olmeda to our concert stages.

In this world fraught with discord, inequality and fear about our collective futures, great music’s power to build community and provide inspiration is more important than ever. The San Francisco Chamber Orchestra’s vision to create a more connected and empathetic world through music remains at the core of our organization.

Know that the SFCO has robust plans for its future; I truly hope you will all continue to support and be engaged with this jewel in the Bay Area’s cultural crown, and as I like to sign off in my correspondence, “Onward and Upward!”

All My Best,

Ben