New Youth Symphony Conductor

The Sacramento Youth Symphony recently announced its selection of Ryan Murray—an award-winning conductor and SYS alum—as the new conductor of SYS’ Premier Orchestra for the next season beginning in September.

Murray currently directs the orchestra and opera at Sac State, is the music director of Opera Modesto, associate conductor of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra, music director of the Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra and artistic director of Music in the Mountains.

While a student at Sheldon High School in Sacramento, Murray played bassoon with SYS and went on to graduate summa cum laude from Sac State in bassoon and voice performance.

Murray succeeds renowned musical and community leader Michael Neumann, who retires in June after 40 years with the 400-member youth music organization.

“I am thrilled and honored to be joining the SYS team,” Murray says. “As a young musician growing up in Sacramento, I was one of the many players to be inspired by my time in SYS. I’m really excited to join the team and continue the fantastic work that has been done by Maestro Neumann.”

SYS is now accepting audition applications for the 2020-21 season. To learn more, attend a rehearsal and meet the conductors at an Open House on Feb. 11 (full orchestras and string ensemble) and Feb. 13 (string orchestra and string ensemble) from 6:45–9 p.m. at Rosemont High School, 9594 Kiefer Blvd. For more information, call (916) 731-5777 or visit https://www.sacramentoyouthsymphony.org