Andres Lopera to leave the Metropolitan Youth Symphony for the Colorado Symphony

The Metropolitan Youth Symphony has announced that Music Director Andres Lopera will be leaving the orchestra to become the Assistant Conductor at the Colorado Symphony. Here's the press release:

Metropolitan Youth Symphony is honored to announce that Music Director Andres Lopera has accepted a position as Assistant Conductor with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, effective September 8.

During his tenure, Mr. Lopera contributed enormously to the success of MYS: He brought new artistic depth, expanded MYS’ outreach to low-income students, fostered relationships with the Oregon Symphony and other organizations, and developed opportunities for MYS students to work with professional musicians from around the country. MYS will continue to build on the programs and relationships Mr. Lopera built, and we look forward to seeing what his assuredly bright future holds. His last public appearance with MYS is at the Oregon Symphony’s free Waterfront Concert on Thursday, September 3 at 1:30 pm at Tom McCall Waterfront Park.

“I have loved and appreciated every minute of my time at MYS,” says Mr. Lopera. “The great concerts, amazing collaborations and shared life experiences with young musicians and the Portland community are something I will carry for the rest of my life.”

MYS is very pleased that Mr. William White will join the organization at the end of August as Interim Music Director for the 2015-2016 season. Mr. White, a graduate of the University of Chicago and Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, recently completed a four-year tenure as Assistant Conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Music Director of the Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra. “He is a great conductor with a lot of artistic integrity and huge passion for youth,” says outgoing MYS Music Director Andres Lopera. “He’ll bring an amazing energy to our beloved MYS.”

This fall, MYS will begin a national search for our next permanent Music Director. “Our music director and outstanding conductors, teachers and coaches are at the heart of MYS’ mission,” says MYS Executive Director Diana Scoggins. “We’re embarking on a very exciting time, and truly look forward to what the season will bring under Mr. White’s leadership and as the music director search unfolds.”

The Colorado Symphony has also made its announcement here.