The Delaware Symphony Orchestra (DSO) is on the brink of an exciting new chapter as it narrows down the search for its next Music Director. The journey to select the new Music Director has been extensive. The 13-member search committee, comprised of DSO musicians, board members, and community leaders, meticulously reviewed each application, holding over 20 hours of interviews throughout Fall 2023.  

The result? Four finalists!  


These finalists will each take the stage during the Orchestra’s 2024-2025 season, giving audiences the unique opportunity to experience their talents firsthand. DSO is thrilled to introduce: Mélisse Brunet, Filippo Ciabatti, Michelle Di Russo, and Taichi Fukumura as the top contenders for this prestigious role.   

This upcoming season is not just about finding a new leader; it’s a celebration of the extraordinary talent within the DSO and the broader classical music world. Titled the "Spotlight Season," the 2024-2025 lineup promises a diverse array of performances. This season features a Classics Series, Musicians' Series, a festive holiday performance at the historic Hotel du Pont's Gold Ballroom, and even concerts in Sussex County.  

Each concert in the Classics Series will be led by one of the four Music Director finalists, giving audiences a rare opportunity to witness and participate in the selection process. Audience members will be surveyed after each concert, making symphony goers voices a crucial part in the process of choosing the next Delaware Symphony Orchestra's Music Director. 

Brunet Conducts Tchaikovsky

The season kicks off September 20 with Mélisse Brunet taking the podium for a program featuring works by Anna Clyne, Florence Price, and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5, with guest violinist Melissa White. 

Ciabatti Conducts Beethoven

Then, on November 15 and 17 Filippo Ciabatti leads the DSO performances in Wilmington and Lewes. This concert features Beethoven's iconic Fifth Symphony, Carlos Simon's Fate Now Conquers, and Shostakovich's First Cello Concerto with guest cellist Tommy Mesa. 

Fukumura Conducts Dvořák

On January 24, 2025, Taichi Fukumura conducts Dvořák's Symphony No. 8, alongside works by Brian Nabors and Korngold, with guest violinist Oliver Neubauer.  

Di Russo Conducts Brahms

The final Music Director candidate, Michelle Di Russo, will lead a program that includes a new work by Gabriela Ortiz, Prokofiev's Third Piano Concerto with pianist Janice Carissa, and Brahms' Symphony No. 4 on March 28 and 30, 2025.  

In addition to the Classics Series, the DSO’s Musicians' Series will offer more intimate performances featuring smaller ensembles at venues such as the Hotel du Pont's Gold Ballroom and Westminster Presbyterian Church. The series includes the evocative Woods & Waters with Principal Keyboardist Lura Johnson, the festive Holidays at the Hotel with Concertmaster David Southorn and violin virtuoso Maxwell Brown, and a finale spotlighting the DSO Brass. 

To close out the season, Music Director Laureate David Amado will return to the podium for Amado Conducts Stravinsky on April 18, 2025, featuring Stravinsky's monumental The Rite of Spring alongside works by Takemitsu and Debussy. 

As the DSO embarks on this next chapter, you’re invited to be a part of the journey. Attend a concert, share your thoughts, and witness the future of Delaware’s cultural scene unfold. Stay tuned into the details about the candidates and the upcoming season by visiting DelawareSymphony.org. 

Let the music play on, and let your voice be heard as the DSO prepares to welcome its next Music Director!