(April 10, 2014), Jackson, Tenn The next generation of The Jackson Symphony has spoken.
Welcome to Jackson, Peter Shannon! Shannon has just been named the new Music Director and
Conductor of The Jackson Symphony.
“I'm truly excited and very honored to be the newest member of the Jackson Symphony,” stated Peter
Shannon. “Taking over the helm of an orchestra with such a great tradition is a wonderful
opportunity. The energetic staff will be a joy to work with and this orchestra has shown me above all
else that it is willing to work hard. This is very motivating for me.”
Shannon went on to say, “I look forward to working with the board to deepen the Jackson Symphony's
commitment to making Jackson a wonderful place to live and I can't wait to get started!”
Shannon is the current Artistic Director and Conductor for The Savannah Philharmonic Orchestra and
Chorus in Savannah, Georgia. His official first day with The Jackson Symphony will be July 1, 2014,
although he has already been instrumental in helping program the 2014-2015 Season. Shannon will be
conducting the upcoming April 12th concert.
The Jackson Symphony Association has been in the process for over 18 months narrowing down
candidates and happily anticipating the reveal of the new Music Director and Conductor. This process
has been intense and precise, with a lot of input from the entire community and musicians of The
Jackson Symphony. After narrowing the original applicants, which consisted of over 150 people from 11
countries and 36 states, the Search committee settled on, what they felt, were the three most qualified
applicants. Throughout this past season, each of the three conductor candidate finalists conducted a
Masterworks, a Pops and an Educational concert. The Jackson Symphony visited three Jackson-Madison
County Schools this season, performing in the school gymnasiums, much to the delight of the students
and teachers. The students of Bemis Montessori, East Elementary, as well as Beech Bluff Elementary
enjoyed the full orchestra ensemble at these educational concerts and got to see the conductor
candidates in action.
The committee met numerous times over the past two years and feels the community has hit the
jackpot with Peter Shannon.
"On behalf of the Search Committee, I congratulate the Jackson Symphony Orchestra and her new
Music Director. We are honored to have served in the two-year selection process and now look
forward to the exceptional music that will uplift, entertain, educate, and strengthen our community,”
said Christopher W. Mathews, Chair of the Search Committee and Chair of the Union University
Department of Music.
“The Jackson Symphony plays a very important role in the everyday life of Jackson, Madison County
and the surrounding West Tennessee region,” says Lee Warren, Executive Director of The Jackson
Symphony. “In 53 performance seasons, The Jackson Symphony has grown from a volunteer
community ensemble to professional orchestra employing excellent musicians and is recognized as a
significant and vibrant contributor to the artistic, educational, social, civic, and economic enrichment of
the region’s quality of life. The Jackson Symphony exists to provide great performances of great music
to this great community as well as educational opportunity for all. The appointment of Peter Shannon
should be a seen as a commitment from The Jackson Symphony Association’s Board of Directors to
continue the development of this great organization towards an exciting artistic future and a financially
stable non-profit organization for the community.”
"As upcoming president of the Symphony Association Board of Directors, I am thrilled about the
selection of our new Music Director/Conductor Peter Shannon,” said Nancy McMahon. “I believe Peter
will elevate our orchestra to new musical heights and he and his family will be assets to West
Tennessee. Our entire Board is looking forward to welcoming Peter and to the future of our symphony
orchestra!"
The 2014-2015 Season Subscription packages are on sale now. Visit the Symphony’s website at
www.TheJacksonSymphony.org or call 731.427.6440 to order now.
