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Four conductors selected as finalists to lead Altoona Symphony Orchestra into its next century

By From Staff Reports 5 min read

ALTOONA-- As the Altoona Symphony Orchestra prepares to enter its second century, the organization has reached a milestone in the search for its next music director and conductor, announcing four nationally recognized conductors who will each take the podium during the orchestra's 98th season.

Selected following a comprehensive national search, the finalists are Isaac Selya, Scott Seaton, Rebekah O'Brien, and Soo Han. Each candidate will conduct one of the ASO's four classical concerts in the 2026-2027 season, giving audiences and the orchestra's musicians the opportunity to experience each conductor's artistic vision, leadership style, and musicianship firsthand.

Following the conclusion of the season, the Altoona Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors will appoint one of the four finalists as the organization's next music director and conductor.

The successful candidate will succeed Maestro Nick Palmer, who will retire from the position at the conclusion of Season 98 after more than three decades of distinguished service and artistic leadership with the ASO. Palmer will continue to serve as Music Director throughout the upcoming season and will conduct the orchestra's Pops concerts before concluding his tenure.

The national search was led by the Altoona Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors through a search committee composed of representatives of the Board, the orchestra's musicians, and community leaders. Together, the committee conducted a comprehensive search to identify candidates with exceptional artistic credentials, proven leadership ability, and a demonstrated commitment to artistic excellence, orchestra development, and community engagement.

"The extraordinary response to this search reflects the respect that conductors across the country have for the Altoona Symphony Orchestra," said Rick Ayers, chair of the music director search committee and immediate past president of the Altoona Symphony Orchestra. "We are delighted that these outstanding, nationally recognized artistic leaders have expressed interest in leading the ASO into its 100th season and beyond. Just as exciting, our audiences and community will have the opportunity to get to know each of them over the course of next season as they lead one of our classical concerts."

Ayers added, "The remarkable level of interest we received from conductors across the country speaks volumes about the exceptional caliber of our professional musicians, the artistic foundation Maestro Nick Palmer has built over more than three decades, and the opportunity to lead a professional orchestra with tremendous momentum as it approaches its centennial."

The audition concert format will allow the orchestra's musicians, audiences, and the search committee to experience each finalist's musical leadership in a live performance setting while providing valuable feedback to inform the Board's final selection.

MEET THE

FINALISTS

Isaac Selya

Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026

Concert: Quests

Currently music director of the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic; founder and artistic director of Queen City Opera, Cincinnati; staff conductor of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, and conductor/cello teaching artist with the MYCincinnati Youth Orchestra, Selya has guest conducted ensembles throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and Central America. He holds a doctoral degree in conducting from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, a master's degree in orchestral conducting from Mannes College of Music in New York, and a bachelor's degree in music from Yale University.

Featured Repertoire

-- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Overture to Die Zauberflote, K. 620

-- Jeremy Soule: Dragonborn from The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

-- Ralph Vaughan Williams: Concerto for Oboe and Strings in A minor

-- Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 98

Scott Seaton

Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026

Concert: From Shadow to Light

Seaton serves as artistic director and conductor of Signature Symphony in Tulsa and music director and conductor of North State Symphony in Redding, Calif. His distinguished career includes previous service as music director of the Minot Symphony Orchestra in North Dakota and guest engagements with orchestras throughout the United States and Europe. He earned a doctoral degree in orchestral conducting from the Universite de Montreal, a master's degree in music from New England Conservatory, and a bachelor's degree in music from Vanderbilt University. He has also participated in numerous prestigious conducting institutes.

Featured Repertoire

-- Ludwig van Beethoven: Egmont Overture

-- Max Bruch: Romance, Op. 85

-- Paul Hindemith: Trauermusik

-- Jean Sibelius: Symphony No. 2

Rebekah O'Brien

Saturday, March 13, 2027

Concert: Voices That Shaped America

O'Brien serves as orchestra director at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and assistant conductor of both the York Symphony Orchestra, York, Pa., and Williamsport Symphony Orchestra, Williamsport, Pa. She is also founder and conductor of the New Ground Orchestra Festival. A familiar face to Altoona audiences, O'Brien previously guest conducted the Altoona Symphony Orchestra during its December 2024 Holiday Pops performance. She holds a doctoral degree in orchestral conducting from The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C, and master's degrees in orchestral conducting and music theory as well as a bachelor's degree in music education from Penn State.

Featured Repertoire

-- Aaron Copland: Fanfare for the Common Man

-- Samuel Barber: Adagio for Strings

-- Antonio Vivaldi: Concerto for Two Violins in A minor

-- Antonin Dvorak: Symphony No. 8 in G major, Op. 88

Soo Han

Saturday, April 10, 2027

Concert: Symphonic Fantasies

Han is music director of the Elkhart County Symphony Orchestra in Elkhart, Ind.; director of orchestral studies and associate professor at George Mason University, Fairfax, Va.; and a composer and editor with Hal Leonard Corporation. His conducting career includes leadership positions in higher education, appearances at international festivals, and conducting engagements with numerous all-state orchestras throughout the United States. Han holds a doctoral degree in orchestra conducting from Michigan State University, a master's degree in educational leadership, and a bachelor's degree in music education from Indiana University.

Featured Repertoire

-- Sunghwan Choi: Arirang Fantasy

-- Ferdinand David: Concertino for Trombone and Orchestra

-- Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade, Op. 35

Season subscriptions and individual tickets for the Altoona Symphony Orchestra's 98th season will be available through the Mishler Box Office and online in the coming weeks.

For more information about the Altoona Symphony Orchestra, the Music Director search, or the upcoming season, visit altoonasymphony.org or contact Amanda Selvenis, executive director of the ASO.

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