MAURICE COHN, MUSIC DIRECTOR

A three-time recipient of the Solti Foundation U.S. Career Assistance Award, Maurice Cohn became Music Director of the West Virginia Symphony with the 2023-2024 season. Acclaimed for his “depth, musicality, and expressive power” and for leading “sensational” performances with “exceptional colors,” musical highlights of Maurice’s tenure in Charleston include the Symphony’s November 2023 collaboration with Mountain Stage, the revival of opera performances with the Symphony’s March 2025 production of Carmen, and expanding the orchestra through the hiring of over twenty new musicians.

In addition to his work with the West Virginia Symphony, Maurice conducts performances throughout the United States and abroad. Recent guest conducting appearances include the Utah Symphony, New Jersey Symphony, Colorado Symphony Orchestra, Brussels Philharmonic, Würth Philharmonic, Cincinnati Symphony, and the Filharmonie Bohuslava Martinů. He maintains a strong presence in contemporary music through collaborations with ensembleNEWSRQ and the Aspen Contemporary Ensemble, and will conduct the world premieres of two new works this season with the West Virginia Symphony, from composers Nicky Sohn and Sarah Bassingthwaighte.

Prior to moving to West Virginia, Maurice served as the Assistant Conductor of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra under Fabio Luisi, where he conducted notable performances including the world premiere of Mason Bates’s Philharmonia Fantastique and a concert version of Terence Blanchard’s Fire Shut Up in My Bones. He made his subscription debut in 2023, jumping in for Maestro Luisi on a program of Brahms, Antheil, and the world premiere of Jessie Montgomery’s Snapshots. Maurice was also a two-time Assistant Conductor at the Aspen Music Festival, where he led the world premiere of Peng-Peng Gong’s Late Bells for Concertante Piano and Orchestra with the Aspen Chamber Symphony.

Maurice is the recipient of the Robert J. Harth Conducting Prize and the Aspen Conducting Prize. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance from Oberlin Conservatory and a Bachelor of Arts from Oberlin College, where he studied History and Mathematics. He received a Master of Music in Conducting from the Eastman School of Music.

When not conducting or playing cello, you can find him reading mystery novels, playing tennis, or continually searching for the best podcast app.