In the Mix

“It was incredible! It was as if she put her hands in a wall socket and electrified the hall!”

— Oregon ArtsWatch on Tham’s concert hall debut with the Oregon Symphony

 The Portland Chamber Orchestra Board of Directors unveils a vibrant new chapter as it welcomes the superstar conductor Deanna Tham to the podium as Interim Artistic Director. Having enthralled Portland audiences this past year as the Oregon Symphony’s Associate Conductor, Tham offered “jaw-dropping, spectacular [performances, that]... displayed terrifically clear stickwork with an emotionally engaging style.” (Oregon ArtsWatch) Audiences will now also have the opportunity to experience Tham’s engaging approach to concert programming, an excellent fit for PCO, given the organization’s commitment to presenting concert experiences that promote personal and collective compassion. 

The PCO community still mourns the loss of prior Artistic Director Yaacov Bergman (1945-2023), whose enduring influence shaped the organization into a modern legacy over his more than 20-year tenure. A stalwart humanist and proponent of peace, Bergman served the PCO until his death and “was well-known for his collaborative and inclusive style, often combining diverse arts into multimedia projects.” (The Oregonian) The Portland Chamber Orchestra has launched a national search for its next Artistic Director, with plans to hire for its 2025-26 season; details here: portlandchamberorchestra.org/employment

“I am honored to succeed Yaacov Bergman as Interim Artistic Director of the Portland Chamber Orchestra, and seek to extend his tremendous work with a season full of immersive and collaborative concerts. This series of performances celebrates the unique values of our beautiful city through the physicality of music and a full somatic experience. With these concerts PCO will generate greater understanding of and appreciation for the special energy that is Portland.”  

— Deanna Tham, Interim Artistic Director, Portland Chamber Orchestra

“Deanna is the perfect candidate to bridge this time of transition; she joins PCO with a deep respect for PCO’s enduring legacy as the nation’s oldest chamber orchestra, but also brings a fresh energy and vitality that resonates with our musicians and audiences in new ways. I have no doubt that her immense talent and innovative thinking will catapult PCO to exciting new heights.”

 —  Stephen Shepherd, President of the PCO Board of Directors