December 3, 2015
The Detroit Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors has ratified a new contract with Leonard Slatkin that extends his relationship with the ensemble through the 2019-20 concert season. The agreement secures Slatkin’s role as Music Director through the 2017-18 season—a remarkable 10 years of visionary leadership and artistic achievement—after which he will become the DSO’s first-ever Music Director Laureate.
“This arrangement allows me to fulfill my artistic vision for the orchestra and gives me the additional opportunity to serve the orchestra in many different ways as they transition to my successor,” said Slatkin. “My passion for the city of Detroit remains unabated. The DSO has been at the forefront of the city’s resurgence, and serving a decade as Music Director has given me the opportunity to be part of the awakening of a ‘new’ city and ‘new’ orchestra. That the board, orchestra, and staff support this decision is deeply appreciated.”