The Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) has confirmed a historic change in leadership with the appointment of Giedrė Šlekytė as its new Music Director. The Lithuanian conductor begins her role as Music Director Designate effectively immediately. She is scheduled to formally start her new position at the beginning of the 2027:28 Season. Significantly, this appointment marks the first time a woman has been named to the top artistic post in the orchestra’s 135-year history.
Šlekytė first performed with the RSNO during the 2025:26 Season. Her rendition of Mahler’s Symphony No1 received high praise from critics. She later returned to Scotland’s Studio in early 2026 for recording projects. These successful appearances convinced the orchestra that she was the ideal leader for their next chapter. Her arrival builds on a growing trend of female leadership at the RSNO, following Elim Chan’s tenure as the first female Principal Guest Conductor in 2018.
Currently based in Austria, Šlekytė has worked with major global ensembles like the Vienna Symphony and Staatskapelle Berlin. She previously served as Principal Conductor of Stadttheater Klagenfurt and Principal Guest Conductor of Bruckner Orchester Linz. Her background in choral and opera conducting is expected to benefit the RSNO Chorus and the RSNO Youth Chorus. The youth group will celebrate its 50th anniversary during her first season as director.
Thomas Søndergård, the current Music Director, will move into the position of Music Director Emeritus. This role celebrates his long history with the orchestra, which began eighteen years ago. Søndergård became Principal Guest Conductor in 2012 and took the top job in 2018. He has led the ensemble on tours across the USA and Europe. He is currently preparing for a five-concert tour of China this May.
Music Director Designate Giedrė Šlekytė said: ‘It is a great joy and honour to be appointed as Music Director of the RSNO starting with the 2027:28 Season. I got to know the RSNO as an orchestra of musical excellence but also curiosity, versatility, open-mindedness and great energy. Lots of exciting concert programmes and recordings are in the planning, and I can’t wait to join the RSNO family, grow together and inspire the audiences in Scotland and beyond.’
Music Director Emeritus Thomas Søndergård said: ‘I’m honoured to be opening yet another chapter in my long relationship with this wonderful orchestra. The RSNO has been, and will continue to be, enormously important in both my artistic and personal life. The orchestra, Scotland, and the many close friends I’ve made here during my years as Principal Guest Conductor and Music Director all hold a special place in my heart. I look forward to continuing to make great music with the RSNO, while they embark on this exciting new chapter with Giedrė.’
RSNO Chief Executive Alistair Mackie said: ‘There are weeks in rehearsals when something shifts. A buzz starts, momentum builds. You can feel it coming from the musicians themselves. And when it does happen, our audiences can feel it too. That’s what happened with Giedrė. When she joined us last year, her musical ideas and the way she works with players spoke for themselves. Giedrė gives the Orchestra room to breathe and to play. The connection – musical, cultural and personal – was there from the start. She is the right person to carry forward what Thomas has built. The foundation he created is a strong one: an orchestra that knows itself, plays with confidence, and is ready for what comes next.’
Chair of the RSNO Board Gregor Stewart said: ‘When Giedrė performed with the RSNO last year, we just knew we had to get her back. She returned recently for recording sessions that we can’t wait to share, and our Artistic Committee spent time in Europe, meeting her and watching her conduct. Giedrė now joining us is a complete joy and I look forward to seeing the partnership with her, Thomas and the Orchestra unfold.’
