Macon Symphony Orchestra names Gerald Steichen new music director

The Macon Symphony Orchestra announced on Thursday the appointment of Gerald Steichen as the orchestra's new music director.

Steichen was guest conductor at the MSO's Symphonic Tricks & Orchestral Treats concert in October 2015.

"We received such a favorable response from our musicians and from the community when Jerry was here," Sheryl Towers, CEO of the orchestra, said in a statement. "We are very fortunate that he will bring his extraordinary creativity and passion to the orchestra as we prepare for our 40th Season.

The MSO has been led by a series of guest conductors for the past two years.

Steichen's career ranges from symphony and opera to Broadway and chamber music. He's in his eighth season as music director of the Ridgefield, Connecticut, Symphony Orchestra, served the New Haven Symphony as associate and principal pops conductor for 15 seasons and recently completed 11 seasons as the principal pops conductor of the Utah Symphony.

He has guest conducted the Boston Pops, Detroit Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony and the Oregon Symphony, among others.

Steichen conducted the New York City Opera for 10 seasons, toured nationally with "The Phantom of the Opera," "The Secret Garden" and "Peter Pan." He also conducted "Cats" in New York for two years.

Originally from Tonkawa, Oklahoma, Steichen holds degrees from Northern Oklahoma College, Oklahoma City University and the University of Southern California. A resident of New York, Steichen will be a regular visitor in Macon throughout the concert season.

This story was originally published February 4, 2016 at 6:26 PM with the headline "Macon Symphony Orchestra names Gerald Steichen new music director ."