Jonathan Hayward - BSO Music Director Designate
This may be old news for some symphony orchestra aficionados, but if you love classical music - as I do - Jonathan Hayward is a shining example of an up and coming African-American to follow.
When I am in the US (as I am for a couple more weeks), my husband and I enjoy attending Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) concerts, usually at the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore. Due to the pandemic, the last concert we were able to attend was in Dec 2019. At that time, the BSO Music Director was the wonderful Marin Alsop, the first woman to lead a major US orchestra. She is STILL continuing her stellar music career. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marin_Alsop
So we were delighted to be able to attend last night's BSO concert held at the Strathmore Music Center in Bethesda, MD, which featured the BSO's new Music Director Designate, Jonathan Hayward, the first African-American conductor to lead a major orchestra in the US. And he is just 29 years old! He will officially become the BSO Music Director in September for the 2023-24 season.
The concert was outstanding and BSO fans are in for a real treat this year - and at least for the next five. Here is an article from 2022, reporting on his selection. FYI, he was UNANIMOUSLY selected! https://www.wbal.com/article/575702/124/bso-names-jonathan-hayward-as-new-music-director
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While I am bitterly disappointed in US political events generally (because of MAGAt GQPer crazies, their insane followers and the generally worthless US M$M who will NOT call out GQPer traitors and recognize the real accomplishments of Pres Biden) and especially disappointed in how my birth state of Montana has been taken over by such despicable deplorables, people who continue achieving great accomplishments in spite of all the odds against them still give me hope for the world.
Thank you to the BSO for its wisdom and for helping me believe that the worth of good people is STILL recognized!
Thank you, Maryland and thank you, DU, for helping me survive generally! 
