Duncan Ward

Our chief conductor

Duncan Ward has been the chief conductor of Philzuid since 2021.

Born in 1989, Duncan’s interest in music was evident at an early age. He began his musical development playing the French horn and piano, but also with composition and conducting. He currently has a busy international career working regularly with orchestras such as the London Symphony Orchestra, the Radio Symphony Orchestra of Vienna, Orchestre de Paris, Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester, Mozarteum Orchester Salzburg and the Staatskapelle Dreesden. Ward is also an acclaimed opera conductor, making his debut with the Metropolitan Opera of New York in 2022. 

British conductor Duncan Ward (1989) was born in Kent, England into a non-musical family. He had an early interest in music and oriented himself broadly: by playing (piano and horn), by listening, composing and conducting. Duncan has established himself as one of the most exciting and versatile conductors of his generation. He is Chief Conductor of Philzuid, the symphonic orchestra of the South Netherlands and Music Director of the Mediterranean Youth Orchestra, a new position created by Festival d’Aix-en-Provence. 

Duncan cherishes a warm enthusiasm for a very broad repertoire. He feels as much at ease in authentic performance practice as he does in the great works of contemporary opera, such as Hamlet by composer Brett Dean. Furthermore, he is an ambassador of social music projects: from his work with the homeless musicians of the Streetwise Opera project, with a performance at the Royal Opera House during the London 2012 Olympic Games, to teaching music to children in schools and orphanages across India as part of the WAM Foundation which he helped establish in 2006. This charity also impressed the late Ravi Shankar. Shankar then invited Duncan to study with him in California. Finally, Duncan is also a proven composer, with Peters Edition as his regular publisher. His works have been performed at home and abroad by ensembles from the Swedish Radio Orchestra to the BBC Singers. In the season 2019-2020, Duncan made his debut with Philzuid in the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam.

Philzuid and Duncan Ward 

Duncan Ward has been chief conductor of the orchestra since the 2021-2022 season. His original contract ran until the anniversary season 2023/2024 and was previously extended until summer 2026, with an option for further extension. Both parties are pleased that the contract has now been extended to summer 2028. For Philzuid's new managing director Mette Laugs, this is a wonderful start: ‘I am very happy that Philzuid and Duncan are continuing their cooperation for a longer period. A good and long-term relationship with a chief conductor ensures stability and continuous growth. It's great that Duncan wants to commit to our orchestra for longer.’

Duncan Ward also welcomes the extension at Philzuid: ‘I feel the connection with the orchestra deepening every project and every year, which has led to many exciting musical highlights. The flexibility, fire and finesse with which they have embraced such diverse sound worlds as Bartók's Bluebeard's Castle, Strauss' Alpine Symphony and Jenny Peña Campo's Cuban Suite (soon to be heard on our new CD) in 2024 alone is truly inspiring. With this growing mutual trust, understanding and passion for music, I look forward to reaching even greater heights together in the coming years and creating unforgettable moments for our audiences of all ages and backgrounds, both at home and abroad.’