Mark Gresham | 20 MAY 2025
JOHNS CREEK, Georgia— The Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra has appointed Henry Cheng as its new music director, concluding a yearlong international search that attracted more than 100 applicants and drew to a celebratory close Saturday evening at a local restaurant in the northern Atlanta suburb. Cheng attended the event via live interactive video link from South Korea, where it was already Sunday morning.
A conductor lauded for his artistic versatility, interdisciplinary programming, and community-centered leadership, Cheng will officially assume the role in September 2025, just in time to launch the orchestra’s 19th season. His appointment follows a rigorous selection process that began with 107 applicants, a list that ultimately was winnowed down to three finalists—Cheng, Howard Hsu, and Paul Bhasin. The selection process finals were embedded within the symphony’s 2024–2025 season, titled Three Maestros, One Podium, in which each finalist curated and conducted at least two concerts before audiences, musicians, and board members—all of whom submitted feedback and votes.
“Henry Cheng has both the experience and the passion to take this orchestra to new heights,” said Peter Hildebrandt, president of the orchestra’s board of directors. “As the Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra continues its rapid ascent, we wanted a music director who would push boundaries and attract new audiences to the city.”
Cheng stood out in the final round with two boldly contrasting programs: Classical K-Pop, which juxtaposed the music of BTS and Beethoven, and Heroes Among Us: A Musical Tribute, a celebration of community heroism through symphonic storytelling. In both, he demonstrated an ability to blend accessibility with artistic depth, challenging audiences to rethink the concert experience.
In remarks following the announcement, Cheng underscored his commitment to musical excellence, civic engagement, and cultural relevance.
“It’s with deep gratitude and real excitement that I join the Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra,” Cheng said. “This isn’t just about making music—it’s about building something meaningful and lasting, and serving a community that values innovation, education, and the arts.”
At the announcement event, Cheng spoke candidly about timing, vision, and the power of shared experiences. “So much of life is about timing,” he said. “And I truly believe this is the right time for all of us to move forward together.”
Defining a 21st-Century Regional Orchestra
In a follow-up conversation with EarRelevant, Cheng elaborated on his goals for the ensemble’s next chapter, emphasizing music education and civic identity.
“We have to define what it means to be a regional professional orchestra in the 21st century,” Cheng said. “Performance and outreach are core—but education must become a central mission of the orchestra in fun, engaging ways.”
He cited a previous initiative in South Korea that merged music education with digital gaming. Titled Minecraft x In C, the project featured seven laptops, musicians from the Tongyeong International Music Festival, and a YouTube creator known for intricate redstone music builds. “It became a workshop on basic coding principles, music education, and music history—essentially an active music box in the metaverse,” Cheng said.
The project went on to receive more than 160,000 views online and became one model for how orchestras might connect with younger audiences by fusing art and technology.
“That’s the fun part—figuring out how to position an orchestra to first serve its local residents, then reach the next generation, and ultimately have regional and national impact,” he added.
Still, Cheng stressed that innovation must never come at the expense of quality. “Excellence is the minimum,” he said. “The details matter. They take time, thought, and energy—but it’s worth it. It has to be worth it. That’s why we do this.”
A Community Mission
Founded in 2007 by conductor J. Wayne Baughman, the Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra has grown steadily over the past two decades and now comprises professional musicians from across the Atlanta metro area. Under Cheng’s leadership, the organization aims to expand its reach, deepen its educational impact, and evolve as a civic partner as much as an artistic institution.
“My vision is for JCSO to become a place where people feel connected, inspired, and proud of what we create together—not just on stage, but throughout the city,” Cheng said.
Cheng’s appointment has also reignited hopes for a dedicated performing arts center in Johns Creek. At Saturday’s announcement event, when asked how the orchestra’s new leadership might help realize that long-standing dream, Cheng responded with enthusiasm.
“That was one of the things that really made me say, ‘Yes, this is where I want to be,’” Cheng said. “A hall is not just bricks and seats. It’s a home for shared experience.”
He called on the community to contribute what they could—time, energy, presence—and emphasized that sustained public enthusiasm would be essential to any such undertaking.
Global Perspective, Local Roots
Cheng brings an impressive international résumé to his new role. He has been the chief conductor and artistic director of the Klangkraft Orchester in Duisburg, Germany, since 2017. He is a winner of both the Antal Doráti International Conducting Competition and the European Union Conducting Competition, and he has appeared with various ensembles, including the La Scala Chamber Orchestra and the Ensemble of the Tongyeong International Music Festival.
He is also an interdisciplinary artist and composer whose works have been presented at the Berliner Festspiele, the Steirischer Herbst Festival, the Singapore Art Museum, and Taiwan’s Kaohsiung Performing Arts Center.
Educated at Georgia State University, the Eastman School of Music, Indiana University, and the University of the Arts in Berlin, Cheng has developed a reputation for blending musical traditions and rethinking concert formats to connect with broader cultural and social themes.
Upcoming JCSO programming under Cheng’s direction will be announced in stages throughout the summer. The orchestra encourages the public to follow its website and social media channels for updates.
For more information about performances, season subscriptions, and educational initiatives, visit www.johnscreeksymphony.org. ■
EXTERNAL LINKS:
- Henry Cheng: henrycheng.com
- Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra: johnscreeksymphony.org
Read more by Mark Gresham.
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