Acclaimed conductor slated to assume role this month

By Lee Juillerat for Ashland.news

It’s taken time, but after a two-year search, the Britt Music & Arts Festival has named Norman Huynh as the Orchestra music director.

“After a two-year nationwide search, Norman rose to the top of our stellar candidate pool, and we are thrilled to welcome him as the Britt Festival Orchestra’s next music director,” Abby McKee, President and CEO of Britt Music & Arts Festival, said in a news release. “It’s a tremendous honor to announce him as the next leader of this fabulous orchestra, where he’ll carry on the incredible legacies of previous music directors Teddy Abrams, Peter Bay, James DePreist, and Britt’s founder, John Trudeau.”

Huynh will assume his new role for a three-year term beginning this month.

As music director, Huynh will serve as principal conductor of the BFO’s summer season, shape long-term artistic planning, and help expand the orchestra’s reach and relevance across Southern Oregon and beyond. Huynh has been described as a conductor of “impeccable musical taste and irresistible personal charm” by KDHX St. Louis and as a person who “brings energetic flair to familiar classics” by the Chicago Classical Review.

According to the press release, as the music director of the Britt Festival Orchestra, Huynh will serve as principal conductor and artistic leader of the orchestra’s three-week summer season. He will lead seven to nine performances each year on Britt Pavilion’s outdoor amphitheater stage in Jacksonville.

In addition, Huynh will “help shape long-term artistic planning while crafting bold and engaging programs in close collaboration with Britt’s leadership and artistic teams, combining beloved masterworks, newly commissioned pieces, and innovative collaborations designed to reach and inspire audiences across Southern Oregon.”

Huynh, according to the release, will also serve as a “key ambassador for Britt and its resident orchestra, participating in community engagement and education events, as well as contributing to fundraising and audience development initiatives that aim to expand the orchestra’s reach and relevance — both regionally and nationally — and amplify Britt’s commitment to inclusivity, creativity, and community connection.”

Board chair Katie Hutchinson said Huynh’s appointment is significant because, “The Britt Festival Orchestra is a cornerstone of Britt, and the Board of Directors is delighted to hand the literal and metaphorical baton to Maestro Norman Huynh.”

According to Hutchinson, “Norman has wowed audiences on Britt Hill with his beautiful conducting, creative programming, and engaging onstage presence. He’ll be an extraordinary ambassador for Britt, and we can’t wait to support his vision for this exceptional orchestra.”

Huynh expressed his delight in the appointment, noting in the release, “It’s a thrill and a privilege to lead the Britt Festival Orchestra as its next music director. From the moment I first arrived at the beautiful Britt Pavilion in 2023 to guest conduct “The Princess Bride in Concert,” I felt an immediate connection — with the place, the people, and the extraordinary spirit of the Britt Music & Arts Festival. The quality of the music-making, and the dedication of these remarkable musicians from orchestras across the country, have truly inspired me.”

Huynh has been acclaimed for his dynamic conducting style, innovative programming, and an acute ability to connect with both seasoned and new concertgoers. He has conducted distinguished orchestras across the United States, Europe, and Asia, including the Oregon Symphony, New York Philharmonic, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, and the Minnesota Orchestra.

Since 2020 Huynh has been the music director of the Bozeman Symphony Orchestra. During his tenure the ensemble has experienced record success, growing its subscriber base by 54% and driving ticket revenue more than 200%.

Prior to taking the helm in Bozeman, he served as associate conductor of the Oregon Symphony and assistant conductor of the Portland (Maine) Symphony Orchestra, where he launched the “Symphony and Spirits” concert series for under-40 audiences and the PSO Explorers Program, which earned Huynh and the orchestra the 2015 Yale Distinguished Music Educator Award “in recognition of innovative approaches to music education.”

The press release noted Huynh’s appointment “comes at a pivotal time for Britt, as the community-based arts organization continues to implement its Next Big Dream — a multiyear strategic plan focused on innovation, impact, and an inclusive approach to audience development, an area where Huynh brings national recognition for his ability to connect with young, diverse audiences.

“Working with Britt leadership, he will help build new bridges across Southern Oregon communities as the organization works to expand its roster of free education programs, activate Britt’s historic venue in more inclusive and engaging ways, enhance year-round community relevance, and position the BFO as a national model for outdoor orchestral innovation.”

Huynh echoed those comments, saying, “I’m excited to build on Britt’s cherished legacy and explore new artistic possibilities together. I look forward to sharing my passion for symphonic music and creating unforgettable experiences with this vibrant community.”

About Norman Huynh

In announcing Norman Huynh’s appointment with the Britt Orchestra, the press release provided additional information about his background.

“American conductor Norman Huynh has attracted significant acclaim not just for his natural musicality and technical command, but for his dynamic presence, creative programming, and highly sought-after abilities in connecting with new audiences. The music director of the Bozeman Symphony Orchestra with a distinguished career as a guest conductor.

“His past and future guest appearances include his sold-out subscription debut with the New York Philharmonic, as well as performances with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, San Diego Symphony, Seattle Symphony, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, Mobile Symphony Orchestra, Oregon Symphony, Portland (Maine) Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and the Britt Music & Arts Festival.

“With a range of repertoire from the Baroque to the contemporary, Norman’s prowess as an insightful collaborative conductor includes concerts conducting not only renowned, multi-award-winning stars in the world of classical music, but throughout the genres of R&B, hip-hop, and pop. These include violinists Itzhak Perlman and Augustin Hadelich; bassist Edgar Meyer; guitarist Pablo Sáinz Villegas; composers Kevin Puts, Andy Akiho, and Phillip Glass; singer-songwriters Smokey Robinson and Gladys Knight; rappers, musicians, and actors Leslie Odom Jr., Wyclef Jean, and Nas; indie and folk artist Gregory Alan Isakov; and pop groups such as Pink Martini and Boyz II Men. In addition, Norman has received considerable acclaim for his work conducting orchestral performances of live film soundtracks, ranging from “An American in Paris” to the Harry Potter films.

“A proud first-generation Asian American, Norman’s passion for engaging new audiences reflects his own entry point to classical music as a 12-year-old ‘band geek’ trombonist in Alabama. The euphonium player turned maestro continues to find passion in exploring new ways to create these same entry points for others. In 2015, Norman and the Portland Symphony Orchestra earned the 2015 Yale Distinguished Music Educator Award, awarded “in recognition of innovative approaches to music education.”

“Norman previously served as the associate conductor of the Oregon Symphony and assistant conductor of the Portland Symphony Orchestra. He was a featured conductor in the 2022 Bruno Walter National Conductor Preview alongside the Louisiana Philharmonic. He was also selected for private mentorship by the late maestro Kurt Masur as a prestigious Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy Scholarship recipient.”

Email freelance writer Lee Juillerat at [email protected].