The La Porte County Symphony Orchestra's Board of Directors is pleased to announce the renewal of Music Director Dr. Carolyn Watson's contract for a period of three years, through the 2026-2027 Season. Watson was named Music Director in 2021 after a lengthy nationwide search process, and will soon complete her third season as Music Director. Under Dr. Watson's leadership, the orchestra has presented three incredibly successful concert seasons with diverse and engaging programming that has delighted audiences throughout Northwest Indiana and increased the orchestra's presence and significance as a major cultural asset to the region.
Dr. Watson, a native of Australia, has been based in the United States since 2013, and maintains an impressive international career as a conductor, having led performances with the Austin Symphony, Barrier Reef Orchestra (Australia), Cape Symphony, Catskill Symphony, Columbus Indiana Philharmonic, Detroit Symphony Civic Orchestra, Interlochen Philharmonic, Kansas City Ballet, St. Joseph Symphony, South Bend Symphony, Traverse Symphony Orchestra, and World Youth Symphony Orchestra, as well as a number of European orchestras. In addition to her position as Music Director of the LCSO, she is also Principal Guest Conductor of the Kansas City Chamber Orchestra and Director of Orchestras at the University of Illinois.
Dr. Watson remarks, "I am delighted to be able to continue my association with the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra which has been a great source of professional joy and inspiration to me these past three years. The LCSO holds a very special place in the local community and is in so many ways, a truly unique organization. I am looking forward to continuing to work alongside Executive Director Emily Yiannias and the Board to craft meaningful orchestral experiences for our audiences."
"I'm absolutely thrilled that Dr. Watson has agreed to serve as Music Director for the next three seasons," says LCSO Executive Director Emily Yiannias. "Under her leadership, the LCSO has achieved new levels of artistic excellence and will no doubt continue to do so over the next three years. We are especially excited to continue the unique and beautiful programming for which Dr. Watson has become known - she has introduced our community to many new and moving musical works, in addition to bringing a renewed energy to the familiar classics."
Dr. Watson will conduct the fourth and final concert of the 2023-2024 subscription season on April 20th at 7:00 pm at the La Porte Civic Auditorium, a pops program titled Beatlemania! featuring Classical Mystery Tour, hailed by Broadway World as "The world's best Beatles show with symphony orchestra." Tickets available at www.lcso.net.
About the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra
The La Porte County Symphony Orchestra is a cornerstone of the vibrant arts landscape in Northwest Indiana. The orchestra serves the 110,000 residents of La Porte County and regions beyond, including Southwest Michigan. Now in its 51st season, the LCSO has grown from a small community orchestra into a dynamic, professional orchestra of 60 musicians serving audiences from seven counties. Each year, the orchestra presents four subscription concerts, in addition to the Hoosier Star, Holiday at the Pops and Children's Education concerts.