The Conductor As All-Purpose Ambassador

For most orchestras, finding staff conductors who can both conduct at a high level and successfully engage a wide range of audiences, from children to the elderly, is a nearly impossible task. But the San Antonio Symphony thinks it has found one. “[David] Cho has made fans for his engaging, often boyish, interplay with audiences. He donned a red clown nose for a show last year, and often jokes with the crowd about his work and the music. It’s like VH1’s ‘Pop-Up Video’ for classical music. And Cho’s work with community and children’s groups has brought in new audiences.”