Teddy Abrams extends contract with Louisville Orchestra, eyeing bold vision ahead

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Teddy Abrams announced a new three-year contract Monday, ensuring he will remain at the head of the Louisville Orchestra through the 2027-28 season.

Abrams arrived in Louisville in 2013 as the music director designate and took on the full role the next season. Since then, he's taken the Louisville Orchestra to new heights and has redefined what a major American orchestra can be.

The Louisville Orchestra became a Grammy Award-winning orchestra in 2024, backed by Abrams' talent and dedication. In 2022, Musical America named Abrams the "Conductor of the Year," and The New York Times called him "a Maestro of the People."

Under his leadership, the orchestra’s projects have drawn international attention and have been featured by CBS Sunday Morning, The New Yorker, NPR, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and PBS NewsHour.

"Louisville and its Orchestra have shaped my life in ways I could not have imagined," Abrams said. "Louisville is my home, and the Louisville Orchestra is my family. So many of the projects we’ve dreamed about are actually happening, and I am beyond excited to continue this adventure with our city, our state, and our spectacular Orchestra."

In the upcoming years, Abrams said his vision continues to broaden and his goal over the next three years is to establish the Orchestra as the foremost public service arts institution in the country.

The Louisville Orchestra is currently in the middle of their 2025-26 season, featuring an electrifying lineup that blends together classical masterpieces with a rich variety of musical experiences, world premieres, and cross-genre collaborations.

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