Preeminent musician, conductor and educator Roger Kaza has accepted the appointment of Principal Conductor of the Metropolitan Orchestra of Saint Louis, effective Summer 2023.
Kaza has primary responsibility for shaping and implementing the orchestra’s artistic and educational mission and will take the podium for the annual Fall and Spring music performances.
Currently principal horn of the Saint Louis Symphony, Kaza has been a regular guest principal with many leading U.S. orchestras, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony, and Dallas Symphony. He also coaches and conducts the Saint Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra and studied conducting with Leonard Slatkin, Gunther Schuller and Murry Sidlin. He rejoined the Saint Louis Symphony in 2009 after 14 seasons with the Houston Symphony Orchestra.
“I am deeply honored to have been selected Principal Conductor of MOSL,” said Kaza, “and I am excited to work with the talented and dedicated musicians who take the stage for our concerts—both professionals and students. My vision, moving forward, is to enhance the high level of performance which MOSL has demonstrated since its beginnings over a decade ago. In addition, my goal is to further develop the educational and mentoring collaboratives with music teachers and students, such as our “Sharing the Stand” program, which pairs select student musicians with seasoned professionals to hone the students’ skills and performance opportunities.”
Kaza’s commitment to MOSL’s education initiatives like “Sharing the Stand” and his devotion to developing young musicians are central to his vision for the orchestra.
Roger Kaza is the third conductor to take the helm of the Metropolitan Orchestra of Saint Louis. He follows founding director Allen Carl Larson, and most recently, conductor Wendy Lea, who announced her retirement in Fall 2022.