Norman Huynh, assistant conductor of the Portland Symphony Orchestra, will leave the orchestra this summer for a position with more responsibilities with the Oregon Symphony.

It’s a larger orchestra with a bigger budget and more opportunities, Huynh said. “It’s the perfect next step. I will be transitioning to a full-time orchestra from a regional orchestra, and I will get more responsibilities artistically,” he said. “There will be more concerts for me to conduct.”

The 27-year-old is in his third season as assistant conductor and community liaison for the PSO. This weekend, he conducts a pair of PSO Pops! concerts at Merrill Auditorium.

Executive Director Carolyn Nishon said the orchestra was “proud and happy” for Huynh.

“This new role with the Oregon Symphony is a great next step,” she said in a press release. “As he enters this next phase of his promising career, we are sure he will bring what he has learned from one Portland to the other.”

Huynh was chosen from more than 50 applicants for the position of associate conductor with the Oregon Symphony. Music Director Carlos Kalmar said Huynh’s musicality and ability to communicate distinguished him.

“Norman is a young conductor with great musical potential. He is versatile, clear in his ideas, and very charismatic. I am happy that he will join our Oregon Symphony family,” Kalmar said in a statement.

Huynh begins his duties in Oregon on Aug. 1. His last responsibility in Maine will be the July 4 concert on Portland’s Eastern Promenade, which he will conduct with Music Director Robert Moody. Moody lost a bet to Huynh over the college football national title game. Moody is a fan of Clemson, and Huynh is a graduate of Alabama.

Alabama beat Clemson for the title. To settle their bet, Moody will wear an Alabama jersey on stage to begin the July 4 concert and conduct the Alabama fight song. “I’ll be there,” Huynh said. “My last responsibility is to make sure Robert puts on the jersey.”


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