Madison Symphony Orchestra Names Laura Jackson as Next Music Director

Posted on by Reilley Farrar

Madison, Wis. – The Madison Symphony Orchestra (MSO) has named Laura Jackson its next music director, only the fifth in the Orchestra’s 100-year history. An internationally recognized conductor, Jackson brings acclaim for artistic excellence, innovative programming, and community-focused leadership.

Forbes Magazine recently declared that “Laura Jackson is paving a new direction for up-and-coming female conductors and composers through her artistry, leadership, and creative community engagement.”

Laura Jackson made her Madison Symphony Orchestra debut as guest conductor last April.  She will next conduct the MSO as Music Director Designate in November 2026 (a program of Carlos Simon, Rachmaninoff, and Tchaikovsky) and May 2027 (featuring Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony).   She will assume the title of Music Director full-time in the 2027-28 season with an initial contract for five years.

“We are excited to welcome Laura Jackson as the Madison Symphony Orchestra’s next music director,” Madison Symphony Orchestra Executive Director Robert Reed said. “She is among the most dynamic conductors of her generation, and we look forward to her leadership, her curation of compelling musical experiences, and her commitment to expanding MSO’s mission.  She is the ideal person to lead the MSO forward as we begin the next 100 years of the Madison Symphony Orchestra, and I look forward to developing a strong partnership with her.”

Michael Richman, Chairman of the Madison Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors, stated: “We are very proud to have Laura as our next Music Director and highly worthy successor to John DeMain as we begin our second century as the Madison region’s leading orchestra. From the first downbeat at the first rehearsal, the chemistry between Laura and the Orchestra was undeniable.   It bonded her to that weekend’s audiences as well.  Madison is a very special city, and we know we have found a conductor in tune with this adventurous, arts-oriented community.”

Laura Jackson commented: “During my April concerts, I felt a wonderful connection to these musicians and was astounded by their flexibility and responsiveness. What I see throughout the organization is a willingness to go the extra mile to serve and connect with the people of Madison. The Centennial Weekend Celebration was a perfect example, celebrating the orchestra’s anniversary and the brilliant legacy of John DeMain while embracing the broad spectrum of community partners. That core value is one I share.  As Music Director, I will build on that legacy, forge new partnerships and strengthen the cultural fabric that makes this such a special community.  I’m looking forward to meeting even more of Madison’s community groups when I return in November for our first preview concerts together.”

In addition to leading the MSO, Jackson will continue as Music Director of the Reno Philharmonic.  Aaron Doty, President & CEO of the Reno Philharmonic, congratulates the Madison Symphony.  “Every concert with Laura delivers artistry, creativity, and adventure. Having known the Madison Symphony firsthand as a bassist, I know the musicians and Madison community will love her as we do.”

SHORT BIOGRAPHY:  An eloquent artist on and off the podium renowned for her captivating performances and dynamic leadership, American conductor Laura Jackson is praised for her creativity, passion, and commitment to music as a source of connection and enrichment for all. A tireless advocate for excellence in performance as well as for music education, she is a true believer in the essential importance of music for the health and vitality of our communities.

A 21st-century conductor at home with repertoire from every era, Jackson is recognized for her powerful and original interpretations of Romantic masterpieces, her championing of new music, and her commitment to mentoring the next generation of musicians, composers, and conductors. A frequent guest conductor, she has led distinguished ensembles across the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, Algeria, the Philippines and China, and her relationships with orchestras continue to expand.

Jackson has performed with orchestras across the United States, including the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Colorado Symphony, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at Ravinia.  Other American appearances include the Buffalo, Detroit, Alabama, San Antonio, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, Phoenix, North Carolina, Hawaii, New World, Sacramento, Toledo, Charlottesville, Hartford, Evansville, Berkeley, Richmond, and Flint symphonies.

International guest engagements include NOSPR-Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra; Germany’s Staatsorchester Rheinische Philharmonie; France’s Orchestre symphonique de Bretagne-Rennes; Canada’s Ontario Philharmonic; the Toronto, Windsor, and Winnipeg symphony orchestras; the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra; and the Czech Republic’s Prague Summer Nights Festival. Jackson is the first American to conduct the National Symphony Orchestra of Algeria by invitation of the U.S. State Department.

Jackson holds a DMA and Masters in Orchestral Conducting from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. As an undergraduate, she studied violin and conducting at Indiana University.

(Laura Jackson’s full biography will be available on the Madison Symphony Orchestra’s website.)

Subscriptions for the upcoming 2026-27 season are on sale now and include both of Laura Jackson’s preview concerts.  Several options are available, offering savings of 10-25% off tickets purchased individually.  For more information on tickets, sponsorship opportunities and event details: www.madisonsymphony.org/26-27

About the Madison Symphony Orchestra
The MSO has grown to be one of America’s leading regional orchestras, providing Madison and south-central Wisconsin with cultural and educational opportunities to interact with great masterworks and top-tier guest artists from around the world. Learn more at www.madisonsymphony.org/26-27.

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