Patel selected from pool of 165 applicants.

By Raif Karerat

WASHINGTON, DC: The San Diego Symphony announced the appointment of an Indian American to the position of assistant conductor within the orchestra’s hierarchy last Wednesday.

Sameer Patel, who previously served three seasons as associate conductor of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, was selected from a pool of 165 applicants who bid to succeed Ken-Davis Masur, who is moving to the world-famous Boston Symphony Orchestra, reported the Times of San Diego.

“One of San Diego’s crown jewels is its world-class orchestra, which is at the heart of the city’s vibrant cultural life,” said Patel. “I am excited to connect with our audience, and I am looking forward to working closely with Maestro Ling, the musicians, the staff and the orchestra’s many supporters.”

Patel began his musical training as a pianist and received both his graduate and undergraduate degrees at the University of Michigan, where he studied conducting with Kenneth Kiesler, according to his professional website.

In addition to his three-year tenure at the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, he was one of six conductors selected by the League of American Orchestras for the Bruno Walter National Conductor Preview with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. Patel was also named a Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy Scholar by conductor Kurt Masur and worked with him and his greatly lauded Gewandhaus Orchestra in Leipzig, Germany.

Patel has held prestigious conducting fellowships with the Boston Philharmonic and the Chicago Sinfonietta, and is an ardent advocate for music education. He has reportedly worked with school and youth orchestras in North America, South America, and Europe.

“We are so pleased to welcome Sameer to the San Diego Symphony,” said Maestro Jahja Ling, per the San Diego Tribune. “He brings a great deal of talent, experience and knowledge to this position, and we look forward to seeing him on stage and watching him grow as an artist.”

One of the other four finalists for the assistant conductor position, Kensho Watanabe, accepted an offer from the San Diego Symphony for the new position of conducting fellow, according to The Union-Tribune.

Watanabe, who just wrapped up a stint as conducting fellow at the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music, will conduct a limited number of concerts as a function of his new role.

“I am extremely grateful to Maestro Ling and the San Diego Symphony for committing to my development as a conductor,” said Watanabe told the Times of San Diego. “I was struck by the energy, drive and outlook of the entire organization, and I am looking forward to developing this intrepid partnership while getting to know the San Diego community.”