Jeffrey Kahane named music director of San Antonio Philharmonic

USC Thornton Keyboard Studies faculty member Jeffrey Kahane has been named music director of the San Antonio Philharmonic. Kahane will begin his tenure with the Philharmonic in their 2024-2025 season while continuing to teach at Thornton. Curated by Kahane, the 2024-2025 season will showcase pieces both classical and contemporary, including the work of Thornton alumnus Peter Shin (MM ’17).

“It is tremendously moving and genuinely thrilling for me to have been asked by the San Antonio Philharmonic to assume the role of music director of this wonderful orchestra at a critical juncture in its history, in one of America’s largest and most historically significant cities,” Kahane said. “Having grown up in Los Angeles, where I was surrounded by and studied the Spanish language from childhood, I am especially grateful to have the privilege of helping to deepen the orchestra’s connection to the city’s Hispanic community, and to play a role in ensuring that the San Antonio Philharmonic is truly an orchestra for everyone.”

A celebrated pianist, conductor and scholar, Kahane has led an extensive career spanning five decades. He has performed with major orchestras around the world, such as the New York Philharmonic and San Francisco Symphony. He served as music director of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra for 20 seasons. Since 2017, he has been music director of the Sarasota Festival.