Victoria Symphony Announces Contract Renewal for Music Director Christian Kluxen Through June 2028
Victoria B.C. – The Victoria Symphony (VS) is delighted to announce that Music Director Christian Kluxen has signed a new three-year contract, extending his tenure as Music Director through June 2028. Under Kluxen’s leadership, the orchestra has reached new artistic heights and is enjoying record-breaking sales and dramatically increased community engagement.
Currently in his eighth season as Music Director of VS, Maestro Kluxen is also in his second season as Principal Guest Conductor of the Turku Philharmonic Orchestra in Finland, following a five-year tenure as Chief Conductor of the Arctic Philharmonic in Norway.
Recent and forthcoming guest engagements include Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne, Pacific Symphony, Oregon Symphony, Vancouver Symphony, Prague Radio Symphony, Copenhagen Philharmonic, Odense Symphony, Norrköping Symphony Orchestra, and the Orchestra of Hessisches Staatstheater Wiesbaden.
“I’m delighted to continue my partnership with the Victoria Symphony,” Kluxen says with enthusiasm. “Over the years, the orchestra has grown in artistry, with incredible new musicians joining our ranks, and we are enjoying a growing connection to our community, as shown most recently by the strongest ticket sales we have seen in a decade. None of this would have been possible without the dedication of our musicians and staff. While I see myself primarily as a guide in helping uncover and grow the orchestra’s unique personality, they have also become a vital part of my own musical identity. This mutual respect defines our collaboration, and I’m excited to keep building on this momentum together.”
“Renewing Christian’s contract for another three years is a reflection of our appreciation of the outstanding work he has done to improve the artistic standard of this great orchestra and infuse the programming with new energy,” adds Tom Siemens, President of the Victoria Symphony Society Board. “This renewal will bring his time with the organization to just over a decade and gives us the opportunity to continue working together to raise the orchestra’s standards and diversify our programming even further.”
Speaking to the importance of Kluxen’s artistic leadership, VS CEO Matthew White remarks, “I love collaborating with Christian. It is a privilege to work with an artist who is willing to take significant programming risks and consistently delivers on his promise to surprise and delight. His musical energy and authenticity are at the heart of why our audiences and musicians love him so much.”
Maestro Kluxen has indicated that this will be his last multi-year renewal. The organization has struck a committee to begin the process of identifying potential candidates to take on the role of VS Music Director, starting in the 2028/29 Season.
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Media Contact:
Maya Lohcham, Director of Marketing and Communications
Email: maya@victoriasymphony.ca
Phone: 250.412.2658