Chad Goodman renews Music Director contract with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra

Chad Goodman, Elgin Symphony Orchestra Music Director

The Elgin Symphony Orchestra today announced it unanimously approved a three-year contract extension with Music Director Chad Goodman.

“We are thrilled to extend Chad Goodman’s position as Music Director for another three years so that we can continue to build on the terrific work that he has done on stage and in the community, creating synergy between our audience and musicians, and growing our lists of subscribers and donors each year,” said Marc Thayer, CEO of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra.

Goodman, the fifth music director in the Elgin Symphony Orchestra’s 76-year history, joined the ESO in May 2023. He has led the ESO premieres of more than a dozen works and has worked to increase community engagement through efforts including the orchestra’s first ever Día de los Muertos concert which united the symphony with folkloric dance and vocals in a city-wide cultural celebration. In July 2025, the Illinois Council of Orchestra honored Goodman with its Professional Conductor of the Year Award and awarded the Elgin Symphony Orchestra Professional Orchestra of the Year.

“Since beginning my tenure as Music Director of the ESO in 2023, I have been inspired by the remarkable artistry that our orchestra brings to every performance and by the boundless enthusiasm, trust, and love of our community. I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished together, and I am honored to continue serving this extraordinary organization and community,” said Goodman.

As a guest conductor, Goodman has led orchestras including the Minnesota Orchestra, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Greensboro Symphony Orchestra, Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra, San Francisco Chamber Orchestra, and Orquesta Sinfónica del Estado de Puebla (OSEP).

Goodman holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music and a Master of Music degree from San Francisco State University. His mentors include Michael Tilson Thomas and Alasdair Neale.