James Bagwell Appointed by Tulsa Symphony Orchestra and Berkshire Bach Society!
From Tulsa Symphony Orchestra
Tulsa Symphony Orchestra Appoints James Bagwell as Principal Conductor for Season XXI
TULSA, OK – The Tulsa Symphony Orchestra is pleased to announce the appointment of James Bagwell as Principal Conductor, beginning with Season XXI.
Bagwell will assume a central artistic leadership role with the orchestra, helping shape programming and performances as TSO continues to expand its artistic vision and community impact.
“The Tulsa Symphony has an extraordinary season planned, and it is my privilege to join the orchestra as Principal Conductor,” said James Bagwell. “I look forward to playing a part in Tulsa’s exciting cultural scene and embarking on this ambitious and thrilling endeavor together.”
A renowned American conductor with an active career in orchestral, choral, and operatic repertoire, Bagwell serves as Principal Conductor of the Berkshire Bach Orchestra and Chorus. He was appointed Principal Guest Conductor of the American Symphony Orchestra in 2009 and Associate Conductor of The Orchestra Now (TON) six years later and has appeared with both ensembles at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center.
A frequent guest conductor with the Tulsa Symphony since 2007, Bagwell has led performances in major works including Mozart’s Requiem, Brahms’ Ein deutsches Requiem, Britten’s War Requiem, Mahler’s Symphony No. 1, Nielsen’s Symphony No. 4 and Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, “Resurrection.”
“We are thrilled to welcome James Bagwell as Principal Conductor of the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra,” said Morgan Walker, Executive Director. “His long-standing relationship with the orchestra, combined with his depth of experience and artistic leadership, makes him the ideal partner as we look ahead to an exciting new chapter.”
Bagwell appears regularly with orchestras and festivals across the United States and abroad, including the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, Interlochen Arts Festival, and Jerusalem Symphony. He is also known for his long-standing collaboration with singer and composer Natalie Merchant, conducting major orchestras across North America.
In addition to his orchestral work, Bagwell is in demand internationally as a preparer of choruses. He has collaborated with leading orchestras across the United States and abroad, including the New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, and Boston Symphony Orchestra. He currently serves on the faculty of Bard College, where he directs the music program and co-directs the graduate conducting program.
From Berkshire Bach Society
Berkshire Bach announces Appointment of James Bagwell as Director of Choral Music and Principal Conductor
Great Barrington, March 16, 2026: Berkshire Bach Society (BBS) announces the appointment of James Bagwell as Director of Choral Music and Principal Conductor, effective April 1, 2026. Mr. Bagwell previously served as Choral Director and has performed with BBS since the early 2000s. The move deepens BBS’s musical capabilities and recognizes the important role Mr. Bagwell has played over the past two decades in creating a consistent record of excellence in choral performance.
“I’ve long admired James Bagwell’s work as a choral conductor,” said Eugene Drucker, Artistic Director of BBS, “specifically in the Berkshire Bach Society vocal concerts for which I’ve had the pleasure of serving as his concertmaster, and more generally in his meticulous preparation of the chorus for opera productions at Bard College’s Summerscape and for oratorio performances with the American Symphony Orchestra at Carnegie Hall. I am pleased to formalize his involvement with our organization and to welcome him as Director of Choral Music and Principal Conductor.”
Mr. Bagwell has recently been named Principal Conductor of the Tulsa Symphony and has served as Principal Guest Conductor of the American Symphony Orchestra since 2009. He has prepared choruses for numerous national and international orchestras, and his choruses have been featured at the Salzburg, Verbier, Mostly Mozart and Bard Music Festivals. He is Professor of Music and Music Program Director at Bard College, and Director of Performance Studies in the Bard College Conservatory of Music. He serves as Co-Director of the Bard Conservatory Graduate Program in Conducting and is the Associate Conductor of The Orchestra Now (TŌN)
Mr. Bagwell’s new title is in effect when he conducts the first BBS performances in 30 years of J.S. Bach’s St. John Passion on April 11 at the First Congregational Church in Great Barrington and April 12 at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, both at 3pm. Tickets for both events are available through BerkshireBach.org/events.
