CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Lawrence Loh will be the 10th conductor and music director of the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra.
The orchestra announced the choice Tuesday at the Clay Center.
He was among six finalists considered to succeed current Maestro Grant Cooper, who is retiring after 16 years at the conductor’s podium.
Loh currently serves as the music director of Symphoria in Syracuse, New York, and the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He also served as assistant conductor, associate conductor and resident conductor with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
Search Committee Chair Cindy McGhee said after a two-year search, a bad choice could not have been made.
“We had so many inputs from constituents around the state and around the orchestra family,” she said.
As part of the interview process, candidates had to meet with government officials, participate in orchestra rehearsals and meetings and conduct one performance.
Loh said he has heard plenty of positive things about the symphony from other orchestras across the country.
“It was a very easy decision for me to throw my hat into the ring,” he said. “I was very happy just to meet the orchestra and meeting the final six.”
Loh will only take part in three symphonic concerts and a pops concert during the 2017-2018 season. He will then be responsible for leading a multi-city tour in April 2018.
Loh is married to his wife, Jennifer, and has two children, 14-year-old Charlie and 11-year-old Hillary.