LOCAL

Spartanburg Philharmonic's new music director John Concklin is no stranger to the region

Joanna Johnson
Herald-Journal

The Spartanburg Philharmonic's new music director John Young Shik Concklin isn't a stranger to the community or to the orchestra.

Concklin was a violist for the Philharmonic and made his conducting debut in 2018 when he led the Philharmonic’s two John Williams concerts.  The announcement about Concklin becoming the 10th music director was made on May 25 during an event at The Piedmont Club.

"I moved here in 2011 and I already knew many people in the orchestra, so it was naturally the first place I would seek out," Concklin said. "My first job here was playing in the Philharmonic and it grew from there. I had done all the things you're supposed to do as a young conductor, piecing things together until someone gives you an opportunity."

The Spartanburg Philharmonic celebrated the announcement of its 10th Music Director.  On May 25, 2023 John Young Shik Concklin was named director at the Piedmont Club in Spartanburg. John Young Shik Concklin reacts as he enters the courtyard as a colorful burst of confetti is released.

The Philharmonic conducted a two-year search and had almost 160 applicants interested in becoming the new music director. The field was narrowed down to nine applicants who helped program and conduct a concert for the Philharmonic’s Zimmerli Concert Series. 

New music director John Concklin 'gets us, he gets Spartanburg and gets our history'

"The musicians adore John," said Karen Parrott, president of the Spartanburg Philharmonic. "He respects them, he inspires them and he brings joy to the stage when he conducts them. We were determined to listen to our musicians, and if our musicians aren't happy then we aren't doing well. He gets us, he gets Spartanburg and gets our history. It became very clear that he was an astounding choice."

The Spartanburg Philharmonic celebrated the announcement of its 10th Music Director.  On May 25, 2023 John Young Shik Concklin was named director at the Piedmont Club in Spartanburg. Guests gather at the courtyard for the event to start.

Concklin, a native of Atlanta, said Spartanburg is a fun place to be because it has so much energy and so much happening with new projects being announced frequently. He is excited about being the music director for the Philharmonic's 95th season.

"I'm able to add to that (energy), where some orchestras are searching for what they want to do. We're going to make things fresh and joyful, to continue to make it accessible for those who want to come," he said. "We want to make it a unique experience that you can't get anywhere else in Spartanburg."

The Philharmonic will launch its season on Sept. 16 with an original piece from resident composer Peter B. Kay and Antonin Dvořák's, Symphony no. 9: “From the New World.”

John Concklin will bring new energy to Spartanburg Philharmonic

“With John Concklin, the Philharmonic is poised for what I believe will be one of the most exciting chapters in its storied history," Kathryn Boucher, executive director of the Philharmonic, said in a statement.  "His connection to the musicians and the audience is unparalleled and we could not be more thrilled to welcome him home to Spartanburg.” 

Concklin currently holds two positions, including music director for the Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra and conductor with the Atlanta Music Project and Piedmont Chamber Orchestra.

Concklin studied viola and piano at Vanderbilt University and later received his master's in conducting at Yale University.

The Spartanburg Philharmonic celebrated the announcement of its 10th Music Director.  On May 25, 2023 John Young Shik Concklin was named director at the Piedmont Club in Spartanburg. Here, John Young Shik Concklin thanks guests at the event.

"I think he'll bring a new energy, joy back to our stages and stability to our musicians," Parrott said. "He'll bring a passion for diversity in our audience, on our stage and in our programming. I think he'll be an inspiration to many of our youth and will inspire those musicians to become professional musicians or music lovers. He's going to bring a wonderfully vibrant and diverse, new chapter."