Pacific Symphony has named Alexander Shelley as its next artistic director.

Shelley, who has served as Music Director of the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, commences his tenure during the 2026-27 season and will be the third person to take on the role, following Carl St. Clair, who becomes Music Director Laureate in 2025-26. Shelley’s initial term will be for five years and he kicks it off in 2025-26 as Music Director Designate.

In his new role, Shelley will conduct eight of the 12 Classical subscription weeks and engage in a wide range of special events and productions throughout the season.

“I am filled with excitement about leading Pacific Symphony—a versatile, vibrant organization that has enmeshed itself so deeply in the culture, community and imagination of Southern California through the commitment of Carl St.Clair, the musicians and the administration,” said Shelley in an official press release. “Since my first visits to Orange County as a boy, its natural beauty and human dynamism have resonated with me deeply. Serving this community, inspiring its youth and enriching its cultural life will be an honor and a joy. The artistic excellence, flexibility and passion of this great orchestra have struck me since our first meeting. I look forward to building on these deep foundations, growing the reach and renown of the orchestra, and reaffirming the power and importance of music in our world through innovative programming and committed performances.”

Shelley was named Artistic and Music Director at Artis – Naples in Florida in 2023 and was also the youngest-ever Chief Conductor of the Nürnberger Symphoniker. He has led ensembles such as Leipzig’s Gewandhaus Orchestra, the Deutsche Sinfonieorchester Berlin, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, the Helsinki, Hong Kong, Luxembourg, Malaysian, Oslo, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestras, and the Sao Paulo, Houston, Montreal, Toronto, Munich, Singapore, Melbourne, Sydney, and New Zealand symphony orchestras.