Conductor Peter Bay to step down after 30 years with Austin Symphony

Peter Bay, music director and conductor of the Austin Symphony Orchestra

Peter Bay has become the face of the Austin Symphony Orchestra, but it's time to enter a new era.

Photo courtesy of the Austin Symphony Orchestra

As the Austin Symphony Orchestra (ASO) embarks on its 115th season, it's also facing a big change. Peter Bay, the music director, principal conductor, face of the orchestra as a whole for the past 30 years, will depart from his current role at the end of the 2026-27 season.

Bay will continue conducting independently and stay in touch with the ASO, but he will no longer hold his current titles with the symphony.

"[T]he time feels right to pass the baton to someone else who will take it to further heights," Bay said in a press release. "I am not retiring from conducting but looking forward to new artistic challenges and opportunities. Music and conducting have been a life-long passion, and that will never change."

Bay also said that he wants to remain part of the ASO "family," although he did not specify what roles he was hoping to fill. "You can bet I'll never stay away too long,” he said.

According to the release, Bay has hired most of the 83 musicians who currently play in the ASO and introduced more than 300 works to its repertoire. As any conductor would be, Bay was necessarily public-facing; but the rapport he built with the Austin community has been especially notable.

The conductor increased the ASO's community reach by performing beyond its home base at the Long Center, and he also worked on getting young people involved with the symphony through initiatives like the young professionals group, Symphony BATS.

In addition to his work with the ASO, Bay is the primary conductor for Ballet Austin, has worked many times with the Austin Opera, and is an honoree in the Austin Arts Hall of Fame since 2016.

“Peter’s influence is immeasurable, not just in terms of artistic output but in the lives he’s touched — audiences, musicians and colleagues alike,” said ASO CEO and executive director Justus Zimmerman. “His departure will mark the end of an era, but he will always be a part of the Austin Symphony Orchestra family.”

The symphony will celebrate Bay's long tenure with a series of special programs, events, and more as his final season draws to a close. It will collaborate with Austin City Limits, produced by Austin PBS, on a last hurrah in 2027.

To honor Bay and support the orchestra as it transitions, some influential community members have come forward.

South African pianist Anton Nel said, “Working with Peter has been one of the great joys of my professional life. His deep musical insight and generosity of spirit make him a true artist and an even better human being.”

Local arts philanthropists Sarah and Dr. Ernest Butler will also present the orchestra with a $3 million endowment through the Butler Family Fund to mark the occasion.

The ASO is getting used to more personnel changes that will be old news by the time Bay departs. Justus Zimmerman joined the organization in 2025, and on August 18 Sonya Robinson was named the vice president of development.

Folks who want to stop by and see Bay off over the next two seasons can start with this season's kickoff Friday, September 12. The season will include a work that references the culture of the Wixárika (Huichol) people of Mexico, an opportunity for fans to conduct along with Bay using a virtual reality game, and a performance of Rhapsody in Blue featuring a player piano using composer George Gershwin's own phrasings.

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WINTER WONDERS

Weekend holiday market elevates Austin's Asian artists

Photo by Joi Conti Photography

Illustrator Lisa Crawford of LisaLisa, who brings a touch of Filipino-American culture to her art, at a recent vendor fair.

Expect Asian flair from a variety of local artists at Asian Season ATX’s first Holiday Market on the grounds of Beerburg Brewery this Sunday, December 14. The market will feature more than 20 creators of ceramics, prints, and photography with a dash of Asian or Pacific heritage.

The holiday market, launched by Asian Season ATX, will showcase both art and food through an Asian lens. Hours are noon to 5 pm. The vendor lineup includes:

The Filipino food truck KinAugi, known for its lumpia, pancit, and meatsicles, also will be on site. A pop-up art gallery will feature the works of various artists with Asian American and Pacific Islander background: Erina Rizal, Ngan Hoang, Bart Sasam, Lauren Hua, Andy Dunlavey, Gigi White, and RJ Gaulberto.

Tayo Na Vol 2 launch party Asian vendors gathered for Tayo Na launch part, which celebrated the area's second Filipino directory.Photo by Joi Conti Photography

Painter Ngan Hoang, for instance, was born in Saigon. She uses paint and found materials to explore themes of healing, identity, and belonging. Bart Sasam uses his photography skills to create digital dioramas of Austin. And RJ Gualberto, born in the Philippines, moved to Austin in 2018 and uses both drafting and rendering skills in his art.

Artist Andy Dunlavey and baker Cedric Silan created Asian Season ATX in early 2024. Silan, who serves as executive director, says the group came together because showcasing Asian artists together drew bigger crowds.The organization is committed to being a welcoming space to artists, artisans, creators and makers.

Asian Season ATX founders Asian Season ATX celebrates Asian Heritage Month at Austin Beerworks.Photo by Joi Conti Photography

The group began with its annual AAPI Month Kickoff at Austin Beerworks, which quickly grew from a small gathering into one of the city’s larger celebrations of Asian and Pacific Islander creatives.

From there, Asian Season ATX expanded into curating art spaces for Party at the People’s House, partnering with Bolm Arts Studios for the Look Mama, We Made It gallery, contributing to the Austin Studio Tour, and supporting community projects like the Walks of Life exhibition and the Tayo Na launch, the city's Filipino directory.

Now, the organization continues hosting events year-round and highlighting participating artists on social media. Austinites who miss this event — or attend and want more — won't have to wait long for the next event. Plus, many of the vendors have connections with other markets and sell their goods online.

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