MET concertmaster David Chan takes up conducting role with the Apollo Orchestra

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The Apollo Orchestra has announced the appointment of violinist and conductor David Chan as its new principal conductor.

Chan has served as guest conductor for the 2022-23 and the 2023-24 seasons. He will officially join the artistic team on 2 June 2024.

’I’m honoured to be part of Apollo’s vision of bringing first-rate music to the communities of the greater Washington D.C. area,’ said Chan. I already sense an extremely positive rapport in my work with these superb musicians and look forward to the journey of challenging one another and growing together musically.’

The appointment comes as Chan continues to focus on his conducting career, as well as undertaking his 24th season as concertmaster of New York’s MET Orchestra. He was appointed director of Credo Music in April 2024 and has served as music director of the APEX Ensemble and as music director of Camerata Notturna.

’We are thrilled about this next step for our orchestra,’ commented Robert Downing, Apollo chairman, and Virginia Lum, Apollo executive and artistic director.

’David Chan brings us an exceptional level of musicianship and experience, and continuing associations with many of the leading conductors, singers, soloists, and significant orchestras from around the world. His knowledge of the concert and opera repertory is vast and impressive. He is personally committed to Apollo’s unique mission of giving back to our local communities through our series of free concerts. And most importantly, he has the support and respect of the orchestra.’

A native of San Diego, Chan began his musical education at the age of four. He won prizes at the Tchaikovsky and Indianapolis international violin competitions, going on to make his New York debut in 1995 at Avery Fisher Hall and his Carnegie Hall debut in 2003, performing the Brahms Double Concerto with the MET Orchestra.

He received his bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and his master’s from the Juilliard School and studied with Dorothy DeLay, Hyo Kang and Michael Tseitlin, . In addition to being on the Juilliard faculty, he also serves as head of the Orchestral Performance Programme at the Manhattan School of Music.

Founded in 2010, the Apollo Orchestra provides a platform for many of the Washington D.C. area’s finest professional freelance classical musicians. The orchestra, composed of highly experienced players – including members of D.C.’s military bands - joins forces with well-known opera stars and international instrumental soloists for an annual series of free concerts throughout the DC area. The orchestra also features a number of soloists and singers in the early stages of their international careers as well as from top-tier emerging artist programmes and winners of prominent competitions.

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