NAPLES, Fla. (December 5, 2022) – As part of his assistant conductor role with the Naples Philharmonic, Alvin Ho will also serve as artistic director for the Naples Community Orchestra (NCO) as the organization prepares to launch its 30th season. NCO’s partnership with Artis—Naples provides musicians for conducting and performing in the orchestra, sectional rehearsals, soloists, and rehearsal and event space. Tickets for NCO’s 30th season,which begins Saturday, January 21, are on sale now and can be purchased online at naplescommunityorchestra.org.
Ho, 29, is a native of Hong Kong and described as “a thoughtful musician, extremely well prepared and meticulous in his approach,” by the late Bernard Haitink. He was the first prize winner of the 2022 Princess Astrid International Conducting Competition in Trondheim, Norway, having recently completed his two-season tenure as assistant conductor of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. Previously, he served as assistant conductor at the Indiana Opera and Ballet Theatre from 2017 to 2020.
“We are thrilled to welcome an artistic director of Mr. Ho’s experience, accomplishments, and passion, as we celebrate our 30th season in Naples. Our concert attendees are in for a treat,” said Janice Jack, president of the NCO board of directors.
Ho has worked internationally with orchestras throughout Europe, the United Kingdom and the United States, including the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Jena Philharmonic, Lucerne Festival Strings, Orchestra Giovanile Luigi Cherubini and Cabrillo Festival Orchestra. Ho was previously selected by members of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra to be the Karajan Conducting Fellow in residence at the Salzburg Festival, and also named Bruno Walter Conducting Fellow at the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music. He was also a semi-finalist in the Donatella Flick London Symphony Orchestra Conducting Competition.
Ho studied primarily with Arthur Fagen, Riccardo Muti and Bernard Haitink and has worked additionally with Garry Walker, Nicolás Pasquet, Neeme Järvi and Thomas Wilkins. He is a Doctoral candidate and holds a master’s degree in orchestral conducting from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.
