The future of music, made here.

Alum Named Principal Conductor of San Francisco Chamber Orchestra

October 19, 2023

Jory Fankuchen

NEC alum Jory Fankuchen ’04 MM has been named the new Principal Conductor of the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra for its 2023-2024 season.

“It is such an incredible joy and privilege to share the stage with the amazing musicians of the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra as this season’s Principal Conductor,” said Fankuchen.

While at NEC, Fankuchen studied violin performance with faculty member Lucy Chapman, a Grammy-nominated violinist who has played chamber music and solo concerts across the globe.

Fankuchen made his conducting debut with the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra in May 2023, having appeared with the group as violinist and violist over 15 years. A regular conductor of the Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra, he is also music director of the Civic Strings orchestra.

“It’s not only a group of world-class musicians, but they’re really amazing supportive colleagues, and so many of them are my close friends,” Fankuchen said.

One of Fankuchen’s colleagues includes a fellow NEC alum, Debra Fong ’86, ’88 MM, Principal Violinist for the SFCO.

recent news
David Bernat

July 24, 2024

Violinist David Bernat ’18 Joins Renowned Formosa Quartet

Read More
Holly Choe

July 24, 2024

NEC Alumna Holly Hyun Choe ’17 MM Awarded Dudamel Fellowship

Read More
Entrepreneurial Musicianship

July 23, 2024

New England Conservatory’s Entrepreneurial Musicianship Program: A Year in Review

Read More
  • David Bernat

    July 24, 2024

    Violinist David Bernat ’18 Joins Renowned Formosa Quartet

  • Holly Choe

    July 24, 2024

    NEC Alumna Holly Hyun Choe ’17 MM Awarded Dudamel Fellowship

  • Entrepreneurial Musicianship

    July 23, 2024

    New England Conservatory’s Entrepreneurial Musicianship Program: A Year in Review

  • Kronos Quartet

    July 19, 2024

    Violinist Gabriela Dìaz ’03, ’05 MM Joins World-Renowned Kronos Quartet; Two of Four Members are NEC Alumni

  • LA Opera Young Artists

    July 17, 2024

    Three NEC Alumni Named LA Opera Young Artists for the 2024-2025 Season

  • Dichterliebe

    July 15, 2024

    Expressing Vocal Lyricism with Strings: How Students in Ayano Ninomiya’s Studio Reimagined the Iconic Dichterliebe Song Cycle for Violin