New BSO conductor makes history as first non-white person to lead orchestra

Michael Shinn, the dean of music at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee, calls Heyward’s selection “historic” and says the BSO should be applauded for its efforts. ”It’s one that I hope other organizations follow,” Shinn said. Heyward, a graduate of the Boston Conservatory of Music and the chief conductor of the Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie in Herford, Germany, signed a five-year contract that will begin in the 2023-2024 season. He was also an assistant conductor of England’s Hallé Orchestra and was selected unanimously by the BSO’s search committee.