Chad Goodman begins as music director of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra in Illinois this fall. Photo by Rick West/Daily Herald.
“After a two-year search, the Elgin Symphony Orchestra has found its new music director,” writes Rick West in Tuesday’s (5/23) Daily Herald (Illinois). “Chad Goodman will lead the symphony’s 74th season when it opens in October…. Goodman said, ‘This is a dream opportunity for me to get to become a part of this community and make music here.’ Goodman, 33, comes from the New World Symphony in Miami, where he served as conducting fellow from 2019 until accepting the ESO job. He’s also served as assistant conductor for the San Francisco Symphony since 2018. Seven of the eight finalists for the Elgin job were guest conductors last season; Goodman conducted the final shows on May 6 and 7. But last fall, Goodman made an under-the-radar visit to the season-opening concert to get a feel for the town. ‘The music and the orchestra blew me away,’ he said…. Goodman will be the fifth music director in ESO’s history. Andrew Grams concluded his eight-year tenure in August 2021. Symphony CEO Marc Thayer said it was a unanimous decision for the search committee, which has four orchestra members, four board members and two staffers, including Thayer.”
