Mar 11, 2024 – Denver, CO – The Colorado Symphony is thrilled to announce that Assistant Conductor Wilbur Lin has been promoted to Associate Conductor effective starting with the 2024/25 concert season. The two-year contract runs through the 2025/26 concert season. Lin previously joined the artistic staff for the Colorado Symphony and Denver Young Artists Orchestra (Music Director) before the 2023/24 season.
In his first season with the Colorado Symphony, Lin has flourished on the podium, conducting a pair of sold-out performances alongside Ben Rector and Cody Fry, as well as the orchestra’s Tribute to John Williams, Elvis Christmas Spectacular, Veteran’s Day Celebration, and the inaugural performance at McGregor Square in the courtyard of the Rally Hotel in Downtown Denver. He’s also led many of the orchestra’s Family-Friendly and Youth Concert programs including the Halloween Spooktacular, Latin Beats: Sonidos de las Americas, Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute, and the Untold Stories of the West Youth Concert series.
“I’m thrilled to extend this relationship with both the Colorado Symphony and the Denver Young Artists Orchestra, and to continue serving the community in
Denver and beyond,” said Lin. “I deeply admire the inspiring artistry of my colleagues and the professionalism, dedication, and vision of the symphony’s staff. I look forward to creating more music, reaching more audiences, and deepening the artistic and educational impact of our collaboration. With many creative projects underway with the DYAO, I am also eager to see more of these come to fruition as we continue to equip the talented young musicians with what they need and deserve to advance and to achieve their dreams, within and outside of music.”
In his role as Music Director for DYAO, Lin has helped shape the programming and led dynamic performances including Beethoven’s Third Symphony and the DYAO Spectacular “Takes from Great Britain”. On March 13, he’ll conduct the annual DYAO Side-by-Side with the Colorado Symphony at Boettcher Concert Hall featuring works by Elgar, Sibelius, and Wagner.
“It has been amazing to see the impact Wilbur has had on both organizations in a short time,” said Kelly Waltrip, DYAO Executive Director. “We look forward to exciting projects in the coming seasons and deepening our partnership with the Colorado Symphony.”
Lin’s appointment last year further strengthened the strategic alliance between the Colorado Symphony and DYAO which began in 2018, furthering the Colorado Symphony Association’s dedication to music education in the community while providing resources and access for DYAO musicians to the professional musicians of the Colorado Symphony.
DYAO continues to transform young musicians by giving them the inspiration, support, and skills to be tomorrow’s great musicians. This is accomplished through peer monitoring within and between ensembles, yearly concerto and composition competition, and educational assistance through regular coaching sessions with professional musicians including members of the Colorado Symphony.
The connections between the two organizations has been enhanced over the years through annual side- by-side concerts. In addition, DYAO alumni can be found throughout the Colorado Symphony including current CSA musicians Larisa Fesmire, Marsha Holmes, Paul Naslund, and John Hilton.
“We are thrilled to elevate Wilbur Lin to the position of Associate Conductor,” said Mark Cantrell, President & CEO of the Colorado Symphony. “His passion for music, outstanding musicianship, and commitment to excellence make him an invaluable asset to our orchestra. We look forward to continuing our collaboration and witnessing the extraordinary contributions he will make on and off the podium.”
Known for his creative programming and inviting stage presence, Lin’s career has taken him to symphony halls and opera theaters across the United States, Europe, Latin America, and Taiwan. He was also recently appointed Music Director of the Missouri Symphony.
In addition to his positions with the Colorado, Cincinnati, and Missouri symphonies, in recent years, Lin has conducted the Chamber Philharmonic Taipei, Manchester Camerata, Orquesta Sinfónica Juvenil (El Salvador), Taipei Philharmonic, Taipei Symphony, Liverpool Mozart, Academy Orchestra of Taiwan Symphony, Richmond Symphony (IN), and LaPorte Symphony orchestras. As a cover conductor, Lin has worked with, notably, the Taiwan Symphony, Cincinnati Ballet, and Minnesota orchestras.
“All of us at the Colorado Symphony are delighted to continue our investment in Wilbur Lin,” said Anthony Pierce, Chief Artistic Officer for the Colorado Symphony. “Throughout this season, he has impressed us with his skills on and off the podium and we look forward to the contributions he’ll continue to make to both our orchestra and DYAO.”
For more information on Lin’s upcoming podium appearances, please visit: https://coloradosymphony.org and https://www.dyao.org/