The Symphonia Names Music Director

Alastair Willis

(Press Release) ​Boca Raton, FL (November 10, 2025)-- The Symphonia, South Florida’s premier chamber orchestra, is proud to announce the appointment of Alastair Willis as its first Music Director. After serving as The Symphonia’s Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor for the past five years, this appointment marks a significant milestone in the orchestra’s artistic evolution.

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Willis’s tenure continues a distinguished legacy of leadership that has shaped The Symphonia since its inaugural 2004–05 season. Notable predecessors include Philippe Entremont and Alexander Platt, who each served three-year terms as Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor, and Jeffrey Kaye, who fulfilled the role of Artistic Director for 9 years. Together, these visionary leaders have contributed to the orchestra’s growth and development over the past two decades.
 
A longtime collaborator with The Symphonia, Willis first took the podium as a guest conductor during the orchestra’s earliest seasons and has since played an integral role in broadening its artistic reach. He conceived and introduced New Directions, a series of his own creation that has captivated audiences through its distinctive blend of theatricality and music, offering programs that are as innovative and enriching as they are entertaining.
 
An acclaimed conductor with an illustrious international career, Willis has led many of the world’s most celebrated orchestras, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, Seattle Symphony, Qatar Philharmonic, River Oaks Chamber Orchestra, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, and Győr Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as Yo-Yo Ma’s Silkroad Ensemble. In addition to his new role with The Symphonia, he continues to serve as Music Director of the South Bend Symphony Orchestra.
 
“We are pleased to announce the appointment of Alastair Willis as Music Director of The Symphonia,” said Annabel Russell, Executive Director. “Maestro Willis’s artistry, imagination, and leadership have been instrumental in helping to shape The Symphonia into the dynamic and innovative ensemble it is today. His new appointment reflects our confidence in his vision and our steadfast commitment to presenting performances that are both musically exceptional and profoundly engaging for our community. As Music Director, he will guide the orchestra’s artistic evolution and creative growth.”
“I’m honored to deepen my relationship with The Symphonia, in this new role,” said Alastair Willis. “This extraordinary chamber orchestra has meant so much to me for two decades. I’m thrilled to continue building programs that inspire and connect with our audiences in new and meaningful ways.”