BRYN ATHYN ORCHESTRA ANNOUNCES SEBASTIAN GRAND AS MUSIC DIRECTOR AND PRINCIPAL CONDUCTOR FOR HISTORIC 100TH SEASON

BRYN ATHYN, PA — June 11, 2026 — The Bryn Athyn Orchestra Association (BAOA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Sebastian Grand as Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Bryn Athyn Orchestra, effective July 1, 2026.

Grand’s appointment comes at a landmark moment as the orchestra prepares to embark on its 100th Season, celebrating a century of musical excellence, community engagement, and artistic achievement. Grand succeeds Conductor Emeritus Daniel Kujala, whose distinguished 25-year tenure helped shape the orchestra’s artistic growth and community presence.

An internationally recognized conductor, pianist, and educator, Grand has built a distinguished career on both sides of the Atlantic. He currently serves as Music Director of the Delaware County Symphony and the McLean Symphony Orchestra in Virginia. He is also Assistant Conductor of the Bucks County Symphony Orchestra, serves on the conducting staff of the Capital Philharmonic of New Jersey, and appears regularly as a guest conductor throughout the region.

“We are delighted to welcome Sebastian Grand to the Bryn Athyn Orchestra,” said Kent Cooper, President of the Bryn Athyn Orchestra Association. “Sebastian brings an extraordinary combination of artistic excellence, conducting experience, educational leadership, and enthusiasm for community music-making. Many in our region already know him through his outstanding work with the Bucks County Symphony and the Youth Orchestra of Bucks County. As we prepare to celebrate our 100th Season, the Board believes he is uniquely qualified to honor the orchestra’s rich history while helping us build an exciting future.”

As Music Director and Principal Conductor, Grand will provide artistic leadership for the orchestra’s performances, programming, and long-term artistic development. “I am deeply honored to join the Bryn Athyn Orchestra at such a significant moment in its history,” said Grand. “The orchestra’s remarkable legacy provides a strong foundation for the future, and I look forward to working with the musicians, board members, volunteers, and audiences as we celebrate the centennial season and begin an exciting new chapter together.”

Raised on the island of Guernsey in the United Kingdom, Grand earned a first-class degree through the joint program of the University of Manchester and the Royal Northern College of Music before receiving a Master’s degree with distinction from the Royal Academy of Music in London. His honors include the Dorothy Bryant Award from the Royal Academy of Music and numerous conducting and performance awards.

In addition to his conducting career, Grand is an accomplished concert pianist who has appeared at prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall, London’s Barbican Centre, and Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall. He is also deeply committed to music education, serving as Music Director of the Youth Orchestra of Bucks County and Director of the Grand School of Music in New Hope, Pennsylvania.

The Bryn Athyn Orchestra’s Centennial Season will celebrate the ensemble’s rich heritage while embracing new artistic opportunities under Grand’s leadership. The season will honor a century of community music-making while looking ahead to the orchestra’s next hundred years. Programming for the 2026–2027 season will be announced in the coming months.