Jessica Cottis will lead the Canberra Symphony Orchestra’s artistic team from 2021, the orchestra has announced. The London-based Australian conductor, who grew up in Canberra, will be supported by Simon Hewett as Principal Guest Conductor and Artistic Planning Manager Andy Baird, the new artistic team taking over from Dr Nicholas Milton AM, who concludes his tenure as Chief Conductor and Artistic Director at the end of 2020 after dedicating 15 years to the orchestra’s development.

Jessica Cottis. Photo © Kaupo Kikkas

“I look forward to building on the legacy achieved by Dr Nicholas Milton AM, who has established the CSO as both a national leader in Australian music and a pillar of the local community,” said Cottis.

“I’m so proud of what the CSO has achieved over the past 15 years,” said Dr Milton. “I thank the musicians for their energy and dedication, which will see the CSO continue to flourish in this next chapter, guided by the gifted and dynamic Jessica Cottis.”

Cottis has worked closely with the orchestra as a guest conductor over the last two years, and is co-curator of the CSO’s new online Australian Miniseries with composer Matthew Hindson....