Whenever anyone would mention to me that Elim Chan was going to be the next Music Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, I demurred, replying somewhat quietly that she seemed to have been friendzoned by the local band. Her destination seemed much more likely to be San Francisco or Boston. Yet with the recent implosion of trust between Chad Smith — CEO of the Boston Symphony and a well-known champion of Ms. Chan — and that orchestra, the likelihood of anyone tied to Mr. Smith being accepted by the BSO dropped to Zero. With that, all signs pointed to the Bay Area.

Today, the San Francisco Symphony made those predictions a reality.

Joshua Kosman has just reported in the San Francisco Chronicle that Ms. Chan has been named as the new SFS Music Director. Her tenure officially begins Fall 2026, with an initial term of 6 years. (Full story HERE, behind paywall). UPDATE: KQED has the details, without paywall, HERE.

Bravi tutti!! Congratulations to both conductor and organization.

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photo credit: courtesy of the Los Angeles Philharmonic (via sfcv.org)