Music Director Christopher James Lees Joins Charlotte Symphony as Assistant Conductor

Charlotte Symphony Orchestra announced today the appointment of Christopher James Lees to assistant conductor of the Old North State's premier performing arts organization. Lees is associate professor of conducting at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.

Lees will begin his tenure with the nationally-recognized orchestra this September while continuing in his educational role at UNCSA. In a statement from the maestro picked up by the Winston-Salem Journal, Lees expressed his excitement in pursuing the new opportunity:

"I am enthusiastic about this opportunity to focus my external conducting activities ... within North Carolina. Through this appointment, our students interested in orchestral careers may also be able to connect more easily with their professional counterparts just down the road," Lees said.

Lees, originally from Washington, D.C. and educated at the University of Michigan, joins the prestigious Carolina symphony with several high-profile orchestral experiences under his belt, including a featured conducting stint with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Joining the UNCSA staff in 2014, Lees also organized Winston-Salem's Triad Area Medical Orchestra, sponsored by the school. The university was thrilled to share in the bandleader's anticipation of his new position, extolling the conductor's leadership attributes to the Camel City Dispatch:

"Christopher James Lees has led our orchestra program with an amazing level of expertise and energy over the past two years, and I have no doubt that he will bring this same sense of professionalism and excitement to his work with the Charlotte Symphony," said Karen Beres, Interim Dean of the School of Music.

Charlotte Symphony Orchestra touts itself as "largest and most active professional performing arts organization in the central Carolinas, giving nearly 100 performances each season." The symphony recently contributed to the classical arts world's ongoing paean to revered pop artist David Bowie, who died earlier this year, performing a Music of David Bowie tribute concert.

Below, watch Lees lead his alma mater's orchestra in a rousing rendition of Richard Strauss' Der Rosenkavalier.

We want to hear from you. If you’re in the Tar Heel State, let us know if you’ve been privy to a performance by the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra in the comments section!

TagsChristopher James Lees, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, UNC School of the Arts Symphony Orchestra, Richard Strauss, Der Rosenkavalier