BSo is expecting its next music director to be some kind of rock star

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, September 17, 2026

The Boston Symphony Orchestra is searching for a new music director who will take on an expanded role involving active community engagement and outreach beyond traditional conducting duties. This initiative aims to broaden the orchestra’s audience amid shrinking classical music patronage but has sparked debate about whether such expectations might distract from the core artistic responsibilities of the position.

The Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) is seeking a new music director with an expanded role that goes beyond traditional conducting duties, sparking debate among observers about the feasibility and appropriateness of this vision. Chad Smith, president and CEO of the BSO, has articulated a desire for a music director who will be deeply engaged with the wider Boston community, aiming to raise the profile of classical music through outreach efforts beyond the concert hall.

Smith envisions the incoming director as a figure who is “present throughout the city, not just on the podium,” suggesting that the role should encompass active involvement in schools, public spaces, and other community programs to broaden audience engagement. This approach reflects the orchestra’s commitment to expanding classical music's appeal at a time when its traditional audience is seen as aging or limited in size.

However, this strategy has drawn some criticism from within the classical music community. William Ray, a longtime educator from Boxborough, expressed reservations about the expectations being placed on the music director. Ray compared the proposed model to asking directors of other world-class cultural institutions, such as museums, to take on extensive public outreach roles outside their primary leadership responsibilities. He emphasized that the core responsibility of a music director should remain focused on artistic excellence and conducting, noting that the BSO currently benefits from the leadership of Andris Nelsons, whom he described as a “great conductor.”

Ray also acknowledged the value of outreach initiatives, including free public concerts and educational programs, but cautioned against conflating these efforts with the music director’s principal duties. He argued that expecting the music director to serve as a wide-reaching ambassador who builds audiences on the scale of popular figures or sports teams is unrealistic.

The discussion highlights a broader tension within the classical music world about how best to sustain and grow audiences in an era when other entertainment forms dominate public attention. While the BSO’s leadership sees an expanded role for its next music director as a pathway to revitalizing interest, some stakeholders urge a focus on maintaining artistic rigor as the foundation of the orchestra’s success. As the BSO moves forward in its search for a new music director, balancing these priorities will likely remain a central consideration.

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