James Anderson DePreist

Music director of the Oregon Symphony since 1980. Selected by Leonard Bernstein to be an assistant conductor of the New York Philharmonic for the 1965-66 season. He made his highly acclaimed European debut with the Rotterdam Philharmonic in 1969. Awarded a martha baird Rockefeller grant in the same year. In 1971, Antal Dorati chose him to be come his Associate Conductor with the national Symphony Orchestra. Served as Musical Director of the Quebec Symphony, where he remained until 1983. Much in demand as a guest conductor, he pursues a distinguished career in America and abroad, regularly performing with the major American orchestras, including the Philadelphia orchestra, the Chicago Symphony and the New York Philharmonic. Awarded thirteen honorary degrees.