Performances + Events
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.
