AUSTIN, Texas — Austin Symphony Orchestra (ASO) music director and conductor Peter Bay has announced that he will leave his position with the orchestra at the end of the 2026-2027 season.

Bay joined the symphony in 1997 after a number of conductors auditioned for the post, and he has been a prominent figure in both the classical and popular music scenes in Austin.

He recently told KVUE’s media partners at the Austin-American Statesman that the decision was “a gut feeling to step aside.” He said, “No one inside or outside the ASO has suggested that I ought to.”

In a video message sent to symphony subscribers Tuesday, Bay said he will continue to conduct but didn’t say what his next career move will be.

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