YOSA Says Goodbye to Marlon Chen after Seven Years as Principal Conductor

San Antonio, TX - The Youth Orchestras of San Antonio’s Principal Conductor Marlon Chen has announced he is retiring at the end of the 2008-2009 season as the conductor for the Philharmonic Orchestra, YOSA’s top orchestra.

“I would like to thank all of you for these past seven years and for the opportunity to work for YOSA,” Chen said. “The vocation of music is a blessed life and I am grateful that you have believed in me and trusted me to conduct the Philharmonic.”

Chen currently lives in Houston and commutes to conduct the Philharmonic Orchestra at practices on Sunday afternoons and at all concerts and appearances.

Chen’s future plans involve a much longer commute. “For many years, it has been a dream of mine to live in Europe,” Chen said. “It is a voice that I can no longer ignore and now the time has come for me to make a decision about my future with YOSA. I have decided to finish my contract and move to Paris, France.”

Chen’s contract will end May 2009. His last concert conducting the Philharmonic Orchestra will be Sunday, May 3, 2009, as YOSA’s Philharmonic Orchestra performs the last of its three Gold Series concerts.
 
“Marlon has been a loyal and dedicated conductor for YOSA over the past seven seasons and I am sure the city will join me in celebrating his achievements here in San Antonio, as well as wishing him all the best for what will certainly be a bright future,” said Steve Payne, Executive Director for YOSA.  “As sad as we are that Marlon is leaving, this steps up YOSA’s strategic plan to hire a conductor for the Philharmonic Orchestra that also serves as a full-time Music Director. Our board is now forming a committee to oversee a nation-wide search to fill the extraordinary, musical legacy Marlon is leaving behind.”

“The decision was very difficult for me to make, but in the end I think it will serve best for the organization,” Chen said.  “These are such exciting times for YOSA; I have seen it grow and made it a part of my life. I want to wish YOSA all the success for the future and I hope to stay in touch with all of you.”