The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra (CSO) has announced that Music Director Kwamé Ryan will extend his tenure with the Orchestra through its 100th anniversary season in 2031–32.

The four-year contract extension comes as Ryan and the CSO enter their third season together, building on a strong artistic partnership and a shared vision for the Orchestra’s future.

In a statement Ryan said, “I am thrilled to be extending my commitment to the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra for four more years. From the very beginning, I felt a special bond with this Orchestra. The musicians and the entire CSO family have created an environment where artistic curiosity and collective ambition flourish. Charlotte has truly become my second home, and I have great affection for the warm, vibrant community the Orchestra serves. I look forward to the journey ahead — to the music we will make, the stories we will tell, and the shared experiences that will continue to shape the Charlotte Symphony’s future.”

Since Ryan began his tenure in 2024, the CSO has earned growing national attention for its dynamic performances, artistic innovation, and deepening connections with audiences and the Charlotte community. The Orchestra returned to national broadcasts, completed its $50 million Comprehensive Campaign, and made national headlines as the first orchestra to commission a Sonic Logo.

Ryan has conducted at such companies as The Metropolitan Opera, Washington National Opera, the New York Philharmonic, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic.