"We are proud to unite our audiences
through their shared love for the arts."
Jefferson Symphony Orchestra
CONDUCTORS
Dr. J. Arturo González,
Music Director and Conductor
Dr. J. Arturo González is the Music Director and Conductor of the Jefferson Symphony Orchestra. González, a guest conductor of the JSO in 2022 and 2023, was appointed Music Director in June 2023 after a year-long search for the position.
Dr. González also leads the Flatirons Community Orchestra; he has been the ensemble’s Music Director since 2011. He has also been the Music Director of the El Paso Association for the Performing Arts, Ballet & Theater of the Border, East Central Summer Productions, Midwest Lyric Opera, and the Colorado Light Opera.
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He received his DMA from the University of Colorado–Boulder, his Master’s degree from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, and Bachelor’s degree from the National Conservatory of Music in Mexico City, the city of his birth.
Dr. J. Arturo González, JSO Music Director and Conductor
González has guest-conducted more than 20 concerts with the National Symphony Orchestra of Mexico and the National Youth Orchestra of Mexico, along with many other orchestras. Around the world, he has guest-conducted the Mashvot-Israely Orchestra in Israel, the Central American Youth Orchestra in El Salvador, the National Youth Orchestra of Costa Rica, and the Symphony Orchestra of Ávila in Spain. Future engagements include conducting appointments with the National Symphony Orchestra of Cuba, the National Symphony Orchestra of the Dominican Republic, the Symphony Orchestra of the Congress of Paraguay, the Opera of Medellín in Colombia, and the Opera of the Academy in Portugal.
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As the fourth Music Director in the Symphony’s history, Gonzalez’s appointment ushers in a new era. In his words: “I have such huge shoes to fill, and I take this position with great humility and respect for the people that came before me and for the tremendous musicians that form JSO. I firmly believe that a modern orchestra is a team. Let the magic, heart, and great musicianship of JSO continue for many, many years to come.”
J. Stephen Mallinson
Associate Conductor
Steve Mallinson was appointed Associate Conductor in 2009 and was previously Assistant Conductor of JSO since 1994. He is an active musician in the Denver area, was Director of Music at Wheat Ridge UMC for over 50 years, and was former conductor of Denver Concert Band. Mallinson was the Coordinator of Music in Adams County School District No. 1 where he taught instrumental and choral music since 1971.
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Mallinson holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Millikin University and a Master of Music degree from Northern Illinois University. Mallinson has been principal tubist with the JSO since 1974, and is a member of the Symphony Brass Quintet and a founding member of the Timberline Brass Quintet. He performs as a tuba soloist throughout the Denver area.
Dr. William Morse,
Music Director and Conductor Emeritus
Maestro William Morse joined Jefferson Symphony as Music Director and Principal Conductor in 1999. In 2022, he announced his retirement after 23 years of leading the ensemble.
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Dr. Morse holds bachelor's and master's degrees in music from Oberlin Conservatory and a doctorate in orchestral conducting from the University of Arizona. He has also studied at the Mozarteum Academy of Music in Salzburg, Austria. He is also Professor Emeritus at Metropolitan State College in Denver where he conducted the Metropolitan State Symphony Orchestra and taught Advanced Conducting and Music Theory.
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A man of diverse musical talents, Dr. Morse is fond of the literature for symphony and chamber orchestra. His dynamic conducting style, innovative musical taste, and outstanding musicianship have made him very popular with Colorado audiences.
