(Credit: Robert Torres)

The Boston Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Andris Nelsons have announced the promotion of Alexander Velinzon to BSO first associate concertmaster and Boston Pops concertmaster, effective immediately.

Velinzon has been a member of the BSO member since 2000 and became assistant concertmaster in 2005 and associate concertmaster in 2015.

In his new position, he will hold the Helen Horner McIntyre chair, endowed in perpetuity. Velinzon will be the second highest-ranking member of the first violin section.

In a statement, Andris Nelsons, BSO Music Director and Head of Conducting at Tanglewood said, “We are thrilled to promote Alexander Velinzon to the role of first associate concertmaster. Over the past decade that I have had the privilege of working with ‘Sasha,’ the orchestra and I have been delighted to share in his musicality, professionalism, and collegiality, and I look forward to working closely with him and Nathan Cole as our first violin section begins an exciting new chapter this season.”

Velinzon added, “I’m thrilled to be appointed to this new position by Maestro Nelsons. It has been an absolute honor to make music with him and my extraordinary BSO colleagues for so many years. I’m very much looking forward to many years of collaboration with our new Concertmaster Nathan Cole.”

Over the years Velinzon has performed at the London Philharmonic, Rotterdam Philharmonic, Germany’s WDR Symphony Orchestra, Seoul Philharmonic, the Pittsburgh Symphony, Seattle Symphony, and Seattle Chamber Music Society.