LSO names Kellen Gray new conductor, after year of in-residence auditions

LSO picks Kellen Gray over two other finalists to replace retiring conductor Nick Palmer.

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Big arts news today out of Lafayette Symphony Orchestra. Based in Lafayette correspondent Liz Evans has the story …

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LSO NAMES GRAY AS NEW CONDUCTOR, AFTER A YEAR OF AUDITIONS WITH THREE FINALISTS

By Liz Evans / For Based in Lafayette

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Kellen Gray (Photo provided)

After two years, 200 applicants from around the world, and three finalists, the Lafayette Symphony Orchestra named a new conductor Sunday.

Kellen Gray will replace Nick Palmer, who stepped down at the end of the 2022-23 season after spending 16 years at the helm.

Gray will become the sixth conductor, and the first African American to lead the LSO. He will also be only the second Black conductor to lead a professional orchestra in Indiana. In addition to his role as conductor, he will also be the first artistic director of the LSO.

“I’m thrilled. I was rooting for him,” Sarah Tyner, an LSO board member, said. “I think he will take us in a new direction. I’m excited to see where we will go.”