Conductor
Johannes Müller Stosch is a versatile and dynamic conductor, recognized for his expressive artistry, expert musicianship, and visionary leadership. As Music Director and Conductor of the Holland Symphony Orchestra, he has transformed the ensemble into one of the most vibrant professional regional orchestras in the Midwest. Under his nearly 20-year tenure, HSO has seen unprecedented artistic and organizational growth, expanded its season offerings, increased its audience engagement, and achieved record numbers of season subscribers. His innovative programming and commitment to musical excellence have established HSO as a pillar of the cultural community in West Michigan.
Maestro Stosch is equally at home on the international stage, maintaining an active guest conducting schedule across Europe, Asia, and North America. He has led performances with the Kunming Philharmonic (China), Long Beach Symphony, Peninsula Symphony, Eastman School of Music, Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, UBC Symphony (Canada), and Mahidol University (Thailand). His work with the Busan Sinfonietta in Korea was broadcast nationwide on KBS Television, and he has conducted in Germany, Austria, Italy, Chile, Japan, and South Korea.
In addition to his professional conducting, Stosch is a dedicated orchestral educator, serving as Director of Orchestral Activities at the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music (California State University, Long Beach). Since his appointment, he has elevated the conservatory’s symphony orchestra to national and international prominence, leading the ensemble on successful tours across Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, and South Korea.
Since 2019, Maestro Stosch also served as Music Director and Conductor of the Orange County Youth Symphony (OCYS), one of California’s most prestigious youth orchestras. Under his leadership, OCYS expanded its reach, culminating in a 2024 international tour across Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic, where the ensemble performed in historic venues to enthusiastic audiences.
A passionate advocate for opera, Stosch has conducted numerous main-stage productions at Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), including Britten’s Owen Wingrave, Mozart’s Così fan Tutte, Dvořák’s Rusalka, and the world premiere of Joel Hoffman’s The Memory Game. He has also led opera performances at Webster University’s Opera Theater (Missouri) and the Opera Theatre Festival in Lucca, Italy. Stosch’s early career included conducting positions with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, the Brockport Symphony (NY), and the Museumsinsel-Operafestival in Berlin, Germany. His international experience was further highlighted in a tour with the Eastman String Orchestra, conducting during the Hiroshima Peace Festival in Japan.
A recipient of Eastman School of Music’s prestigious Walter Hagen Conducting Prize, Stosch holds a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in Orchestral Conducting from Eastman, where he studied with Neil Varon. He also earned two Master of Music degrees from CCM (Conducting with Mark Gibson, Organ with Roberta Gary) and a Bachelor’s degree from the Schwob School of Music. His recordings and performances have been featured on national public radio, further solidifying his reputation as a conductor of exceptional artistry and vision.
Music Director Search
The gates are open!
With our beloved music director Johannes Muller Stosch rounding out his 20th season with the HSO in April of 2027, we are looking for our next artistic leader. You can read more about the search process and position information here.
Learn More
Application review begins Nov. 1, 2024. Click the button below to view the entire profile.
Submit materials to hsosearch@hollandsymphony.org.
