Kalmar's contract with the Oregon Symphony extended through 2020/2021 season

From the press release:

Carlos Kalmar announces that the 2020/21 season will be his last, providing a five-year period in which to select his successor.

PORTLAND (Ore.) – The Oregon Symphony Board of Directors Chair Jack Wilborn today announced a three-year extension of Music Director Carlos Kalmar’s contract. Previously set to expire in June 2018, that contract will now continue through the 2020/21 season, ensuring Kalmar’s artistic leadership for another five seasons.

“Carlos’ accomplishments since being named Music Director in 2003 have been phenomenal,” Wilborn said. “It gives us great pleasure and confidence that he will be on the podium for the next five years. I thank him for all that he has done on the podium and for all that he will continue to do for our community.”

Kalmar informed the board that this will be his last contract extension. He wanted to make his intention clear at this time in order to allow the Symphony time to identify and transition seamlessly to a new Music Director.

“I am pleased to extend my contract through the 2020/21 season,” Kalmar said. “I love this orchestra and look forward to building further on our great successes. By the time this contract expires, I will have been here almost 20 years, a very long tenure in this day and age. I will be ready to take on new challenges by then, especially in the world of opera, which is a great passion of mine.”

Kalmar joined the Oregon Symphony in the 2003/04 season. During his tenure, the Oregon Symphony has enjoyed unprecedented success, including three Grammy Award nominations, a nationally acclaimed performance at the “Spring for Music Festival” at Carnegie Hall, an expanded range of musical genres and outreach programs, and an elevated musical artistry that has drawn record numbers of patrons and donors. By the end of his contract, Kalmar will have been with the Symphony for 18 seasons, the second-longest tenure of any maestro in the orchestra’s history.

Symphony President Scott Showalter noted, “Carlos and the musicians of the Oregon Symphony are the reason that I came to Portland. Carlos has been an extraordinary partner, and I look forward to working more with him in the years to come. I appreciate the generous lead time he has provided. He will be difficult to replace.”

The Symphony will soon begin the detailed planning for the search for Kalmar’s replacement.