(photos by Lukasz Rajchert and Heinecke)

Giancarlo Guerrero has been named the Sarasota Orchestra’s seventh music director. He will take on the role of music director designate in 2024-25 before taking on the new role in the fall of 2025.

Guerrero is currently the music director of the Nashville Symphony where he has served for 16 years; he will become music director emeritus with that organization in 2025-26. During his time in Nashville, he has garnered 13 Grammy nominations and six wins. He has premiered two dozen new works and released 21 commercial albums.

“I am pleased to become Sarasota Orchestra’s next music director,” said Guerrero in an official press release. “From my first rehearsal with them last winter, I was instantly impressed with this orchestra, filled with terrific musicians who take tremendous pride in their orchestra. It was clear that everyone was prepared and ready to play, displaying a palpable joy in music-making. In my conversations with members of the organization, from board to musicians to staff, I sensed a great degree of pride in the future of the institution and a desire to achieve the highest possible artistic ground. Being asked to be music director at this important and historic moment of the orchestra is a tremendous honor. I am excited to be a part of the planning during this forward-looking time, and to add my artistic voice to the process, doing what I can to ensure a vibrant future for the orchestra and the Sarasota-Manatee community.”

His first performances as music director designate with Sarasota Orchestra will take place on Nov. 8-10, 2024. He will also perform with the ensemble in concerts scheduled for Jan. 30-Feb. 2, 2025.

In addition to his work with Nashville and now Sarasota, Guerrero has performed with such organizations as Boston Symphony, Chicago Symphony, New York Philharmonic, and Philadelphia Orchestra, among others.