This season marks Gerard Schwarz' 25th year with the Seattle Symphony. Maestro Schwarz also became the Music Director of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in 2001. From 1982 to 2001, he was Music Director of New York's Mostly Mozart Festival and currently serves as Conductor Emeritus.

Mr. Schwarz co-founded the New York Chamber Symphony in 1977 and served as its Music Director through the ensemble's 25th anniversary season in 2002. A graduate of The Juilliard School, Gerard Schwarz began his conducting career in 1966. Within 10 years, he was appointed Music Director of the Erick Hawkins Dance Company, the Eliot Feld Dance Company, the Waterloo Festival and the New York Chamber Symphony, as well as the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. In 1981 he established the Music Today contemporary music series in New York City and served as its Music Director through 1989.

In 1983, Maestro Schwarz came to the Seattle Symphony as Music Advisor. The following year he was appointed Principal Conductor, and since 1985 has held the post of Music Director. Maestro Schwarz and the Seattle Symphony have released more than 80 compact discs for Delos, EMI, Koch International, New World, Nonesuch, Reference Recordings, RCA, Master Musicians Collective (MMC) and Artek.

Maestro Schwarz was named 1994 Conductor of the Year by the Musical America International Directory of the Performing Arts. He has also received the Ditson Conductor's Award from Columbia University, an honorary Doctorate of Music from The Juilliard School, as well as honorary doctorates from Fairleigh Dickinson University, the University of Puget Sound and Seattle University.

In May 2002, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers awarded special recognition to Maestro Schwarz for his efforts in championing the works of American composers and the music of our time.

Photo Credit: Robin Bartholick