The Apollo Orchestra has announced that David Chan has been appointed as the new Principal Conductor.

Chan has been a guest conductor for the 2022-2023 and the 2023-2024 seasons and will officially join the artistic team for the final performance on June 2 of music by Mahler and Hindemith.

In a statement, Chan said, “I’m honored to be part of Apollo’s vision of bringing first-rate music to the communities of the greater Washington DC area. 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.”

Robert Downing, Apollo Chairman, and Virginia Lum, Apollo Executive/Artistic Director added, “We are thrilled about this next step for our orchestra. 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.”

Chan is currently in his 24th season as concertmaster of New York’s Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and is known as one of the most accomplished violinists of his generation. He previously served as Music Director of the APEX Ensemble and as Music Director of Camerata Notturna.