Juneau Symphony: 1962 to Today

The Juneau Symphony fosters and creates high-quality musical experiences that contribute to the cultural diversity and vitality of Alaska’s Capital City.

Founded in 1962, the Juneau Symphony brings together musicians, audiences, volunteers, and community partners to share the joy of live orchestral music. Now in its 64th season, the Symphony presents classical, pops, and holiday performances while nurturing the next generation of musicians and music lovers.

Our youth engagement programs include Summer Strings Camp, Prelude Orchestra, Carnegie Hall’s Link Up, the Youth Solo Competition, and Musicians in the Schools. These programs offer young people opportunities to learn, perform, and experience the excitement of making music together.

Beginnings: 1962–2000

Music teacher Cliff Berge founded the Juneau Symphony in 1962 as a community orchestra with a volunteer conductor and musicians. Berge and other volunteers conducted the orchestra during its first two decades, establishing a lasting tradition of community participation and musical collaboration.

As the orchestra grew, it became clear that professional artistic leadership would help it continue to develop. Mel Flood was hired as conductor and led the Symphony for 17 years. Following his departure in 1999 and an extensive search, Kyle Wiley Pickett was selected as the next music director.

Musical Growth: 2000–2014

Under Music Director Kyle Wiley Pickett, the Juneau Symphony expanded its repertoire and developed its musical capabilities. Audiences enjoyed beloved orchestral works alongside ambitious programming by composers including Hindemith, Holst, and Mahler.

Pickett established the Juneau Symphony Chorus, making possible performances of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, the Mozart and Verdi Requiems, and a concert presentation of Carmen. He also introduced summer Pops concerts featuring film scores, Broadway favorites, dance music, and light classics—a tradition that continues today.

Local principal musicians appeared as concerto soloists, and winners of the annual youth competition gained valuable experience performing with the full orchestra. Guest artists, including violinists Paul and Linda Rosenthal, brought additional musical excellence and inspiration to Juneau audiences.

The purchase of a harp expanded the orchestra’s sound and repertoire, while preconcert Concert Conversations helped audiences connect more deeply with the music.

A New Chapter: 2014–2018

Following Pickett’s departure at the end of the 2013–2014 season, the Symphony conducted an international search for its next music director. Nearly 70 applicants were considered by a committee of musicians, community members, and board members.

During the 2014–2015 season, finalists Troy Quinn, Wesley Schulz, and Jeremy Briggs Roberts each conducted the orchestra. The process concluded with the selection of Dr. Troy Quinn, who served as music director from 2015 to 2018.

Quinn brought energy, artistic growth, and memorable performances to the Symphony. His tenure concluded with the popular Shaken Not Stirred Pops concert in June 2018. He has remained part of the Symphony community, returning to conduct A Night at the Oscars in June 2022 and TV Classics in October 2026.

Resilience and Connection: 2018–2021

After Quinn’s departure, the Symphony welcomed guest conductors Dwayne Corbin, Tigran Arakelyan, Todd Hunt, and Yaniv Attar while undertaking another music director search.

During the 2019–2020 season, audiences heard finalist performances led by Dr. Christopher Koch and Dr. Scott Seaton. The COVID-19 pandemic prevented the scheduled concert with finalist Dr. Stephen Radcliffe and interrupted in-person performances.

The Symphony responded by finding new ways to connect musicians and audiences. Its 2020–2021 season, At Home with the Juneau Symphony, featured six virtual concerts. In partnership with KTOO Public Media, Sundays with the Juneau Symphony offered weekly broadcasts of past performances and special programs featuring musicians and conductors.

In fall 2021, the Symphony returned to in-person performances with Camerata Night, featuring strings under the artistic direction of Franz Felkl and conducting by Alan Young. That December also introduced Holiday Cheer, a collaboration with Vox Borealis, led by Sara Radke Brown, and Sitka Fine Arts Camp Holiday Brass. With artistic direction by Franz Felkl and Roger Schmidt and guest conducting by Alan Young, the program became a beloved holiday tradition.

The extended music director search concluded in November 2021 with the selection of Dr. Christopher Koch.

Celebrating Six Decades: 2021–2024

Under Koch’s leadership, the Symphony resumed full orchestral performances and celebrated its 60th anniversary during the 2022–2023 season.

This period renewed the orchestra’s connection with audiences and community partners. Collaborations included the 2023 presentation of Candide with Juneau Lyric Opera, bringing musicians and singers together for a memorable celebration of Leonard Bernstein’s music.

Youth education and outreach remained central to the Symphony’s work, alongside performances that celebrated both the orchestra’s history and its continuing artistic growth.

New Leadership and Regional Connections: 2024–Present

During the 2024–2025 season, four music director finalists led the Symphony’s mainstage concerts. Following a search that included input from musicians, audiences, and the board, Brad Hogarth was selected as music director in June 2025.

The search season also included an April 2025 tour to Sitka in partnership with Sitka Fine Arts Camp. Performances and outreach activities brought orchestral music to audiences and hundreds of students, strengthening connections between Southeast Alaska communities.

Hogarth’s first season as music director, 2025–2026, brought fresh energy, artistic vision, and a strong commitment to community engagement. Highlights included guest soloists Alexander Tutunov and Michael Sachs, student participation in Carnegie Hall’s Link Up, and the world premiere of the overture to Kutulagaaw: The Tlingit–Russian Battles.

Composed by Ed Littlefield and orchestrated by Rory Stitt, the overture was presented in partnership with Sealaska Heritage Institute and Perseverance Theatre, connecting orchestral performance with a major work of Tlingit storytelling.

The Symphony’s 64th season, Elemental, continues this spirit of exploration and collaboration. The 2026–2027 season opened with TV Classics, led by returning guest conductor Troy Quinn, and looks ahead to the June 2027 world premiere of Where Water Begins, a Juneau Symphony commission by composer Marko Bajzer inspired by Southeast Alaska’s landscapes and waters.

A Community Orchestra with Lasting Impact

Today, the Juneau Symphony includes more than 100 member musicians, supported by additional visiting musicians and substitutes. Players from Juneau, Southeast Alaska, and beyond bring a wide range of experience, including advanced musical training, professional performance careers, and decades of community music-making.

Throughout its history, the Symphony has collaborated with organizations including Juneau Lyric Opera, Perseverance Theatre, the Juneau Oratorio Choir, local schools, the University of Alaska Southeast, and regional arts partners. Tours have brought performances to Petersburg, Skagway, Sitka, Wrangell, Ketchikan, and Haines.

The Symphony’s work is made possible by the dedication of musicians, staff, board members, donors, sponsors, housing hosts, and volunteers—including the Friends of the Juneau Symphony. Together, they sustain an organization rooted in community and committed to sharing exceptional musical experiences across generations.