VIRGINIA CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
39^th Season

Emil de Cou, Music Director.

“A great deal of what motivates in my work at the National Symphony Orchestra is a passionate commitment to music education and outreach, so I am very interested in continuing that mission with the Virginia Chamber Orchestra,” said Emil de Cou. “I'm very excited at the prospect of working with the musicians and board of the VCO to create innovative programs and develop ways to reach out to new audiences. I look forward to joining the VCO in serving the rich cultural tapestry of the Northern Virginia and greater Washington, DC area.”

Maestro de Cou is well known to area audiences. In addition to serving as Associate Conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra since 2003, he has held the position of NSO @ Wolf Trap Festival Conductor since 2005. De Cou has led the NSO in subscription concerts at the Kennedy Center, residency tours in six states, and on the lawn of the United States Capitol.

Guest conducting appearances include the symphony orchestras of Philadelphia, Detroit, Houston, San Francisco, St. Louis and Minnesota, as well as the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Boston Pops, Montreal Symphony, English Chamber Orchestra, Scottish National Orchestra, Tokyo Philharmonic, and the Royal Danish Opera Orchestra. He appeared as Guest Conductor in the Beverly Sills Gala Tribute benefitting Lincoln Center, leading the Orchestra of St. Luke’s and a stellar roster of soloists, including Lang Lang and Gil Shaham.

In 2003, Emil de Cou led the San Francisco Ballet in a Great Performances (PBS) airing of Othello. He served as staff conductor for the San Francisco Ballet from 1993 until 2001, and was acting music director for the last three of those seasons. Prior to his tenure in San Francisco, he was conductor of the American Ballet Theater for eight seasons, leading performances in New York as well as international tours.

Maestro Emil de Cou conducts a VCO rehearsal (photo by Louis Sica)