Redlands Symphony names Deanna Tham as the next Music Director

The Board of Directors of the Redlands Symphony announces the appointment of Deanna Tham as the 9th Music Director and Conductor of the Redlands Symphony Orchestra, our region’s preeminent, professional orchestra.

“We are incredibly excited to welcome Deanna Tham to the Redlands Symphony family and to our community,” says Karen Hansberger, President of the Symphony Board of Directors. “The Board was impressed with Deanna’s depth of musical knowledge, her curiosity in wanting to learn about our community and how the Symphony fits into it, and her rapport and collegiality with musicians, audiences, donors, and staff.” Ms. Tham will take the podium and assume leadership on July 1st, just in time for the 2026—2027 Symphony season.

Powerfully compelling, Deanna Tham is known for her captivating and tenacious spirit on and off the podium. In addition to her new role as Music Director of the Redlands Symphony, Tham is also Music Director of the Union Symphony Orchestra in North Carolina. Previously, she served as Associate Conductor with the Oregon Symphony, Assistant Conductor with the Omaha Symphony, Assistant Conductor of the Jacksonville Symphony, and Principal Conductor of the Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestras.

In addition to her impressive performance background, Ms. Tham is also a staunch advocate for community-centered music and music education for all ages. Ms. Tham has created new performance series that embed music within the communities she has served as well as authored original school-curriculum-based programs for young people. “We are excited to see where Ms. Tham’s expertise in musical performance, music education, and community-centric musical events takes the Redlands Symphony and, more importantly, how her unique skill set will help the Symphony serve the greater community,” says Dr. Bob Bourne, who chaired the Symphony’s Music Director Search Committee.

“I am beyond thrilled to have the opportunity to serve as Redlands Symphony’s next Music Director and Conductor,” shares Tham. “It is rare to find a community as special as Redlands (and her neighbors), where the arts are celebrated and uplifted. I am excited to work with our Executive Director, Kevin Eberle-Noel, our Board, and our musicians and supporters to make the Symphony a stronger community resource that serves all people through top-tier musical artistry.”

Ms. Tham and Symphony leadership are hard at work finalizing plans for the 2026—2027 Symphony Season, which is also the Symphony’s 75th Season. “We’re working on amazing programs that everyone in our community can find great benefit from all while being swept away in the soundtrack of Redlands that only the Redlands Symphony can provide,” says Executive Director Kevin Eberle-Noel.

For more information on Deanna Tham or the Redlands Symphony, visit RedlandsSymphony.com.