Alumnus Appointed Associate Conductor of DSO

Thomas Hong ’95 has been appointed as Associate Conductor of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra (DSO), a position he will begin in September.  In addition, he will join the faculty of Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music and will begin his first season as Music Director of the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra in Ohio.
According to the Orchestra’s press release, Thomas Hong was chosen from among 178 applicants for the position. As the final step in the application process, he was required to lead a half-hour long trial rehearsal with the DSO. “Hong conducted the DSO in the first movements of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony and Brahms’s First Symphony, demonstrated rehearsal techniques and communication skills while conducting a segment of Don Juan by R. Strauss, and concluded his audition with Bernstein’s spirited Overture to Candide.”
In his new position, Hong will have the opportunity to work under renowned conductor Jaap van Zweden, the DSO’s director. In a news release, Maestro van Zweden said, “Thomas Hong was the standout in a strong field of able and dynamic young conductors.”
“I want to live up to the exceptional musical expectations set by Maestro van Zweden,” Hong says. “I am so honored to join this Dream Team of Maestro van Zweden, the fabulous orchestra and fantastic administration.”
As associate conductor, Hong will conduct the DSO Pops, Community Concerts, Youth Concerts and DSO on the Go series. He will also serve as “cover” conductor for van Zweden.
More information about the appointment and the DSO’s press release can be found here.
Thomas Hong was highlighted in the Winter 2010 edition of the University magazine.
Read his alumni profile here.