Atlanta Symphony director laureate to visit UGA

UGA welcomes renowned conductor and orchestra director Robert Spano on March 24 as the Willson Center’s annual Delta Visiting Chair for Global Understanding.

Spano’s visit, which will include two public talks on campus and a workshop for UGA student composers with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, is part of the Willson Center’s Global Georgia public event series and the UGA Humanities Festival:

Spano is music director of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and music director laureate of the ASO, where he served as music director for 20 years. He will begin a three-year term as music director of the Washington National Opera with the 2025-2026 season.

“Engaging new work, hearing it come to life for the first time is always thrilling,” Spano said. “We have a great history of reading the works of the talented composers at UGA, and I’m so looking forward to having this opportunity again as Delta Chair.”

Spano has won four Grammy Awards and been nominated for eight, all for recordings with the ASO. He received the Georgia Governor’s Award for the Arts and Humanities in 2020 and was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 2012 — one of two classical musicians who have received this honor. He is currently principal conductor of the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra and Music School and will transition to principal guest conductor for its 2025-2026 season.

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Image: Robert Spano (Photo by Jason Thrasher)