US music director steps down after 40 years

Message from the Plano Symphony Orchestra in Texas:

Brenda Mills, President of the Plano Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors, announced today that at a recent Board of Directors’ retreat, Maestro Héctor Guzmán, the PSO’s longstanding music director and conductor, presented a five-year strategic artistic plan for the orchestra. Incorporated into the plan is his move from Music Director to Music Director Emeritus and the naming of a new music director during the PSO’s 2027/2028 season. In his role as Music Director Emeritus, Maestro Guzmán will continue to be associated with the PSO as a guest conductor. Plans for the Board-led search will be announced at a later date.
“Music making has been the greatest joy of my life,” commented Maestro Héctor Guzmán. “My decision comes at a time in my life when I feel emotionally, physically, and musically at the highest point in my career and therefore, the perfect time to let someone else continue this wonderful legacy.”
“We are indebted to Héctor for his 40 years as our beloved Music Director,” said Brenda Mills, PSO Board President. “In many ways, the PSO is Héctor Guzmán, and we are so much richer and better because of him and his extraordinary talent. We are indebted to Héctor for laying out a five-year transition plan that will allow us the necessary time to carefully execute the search process on behalf of the PSO, our musicians, and our community.”