Acclaimed Musician, Professor, and Dynamic Arts Executive to Lead 211-Year-Old Ensemble into Next Era of Growth
BOSTON | The Handel and Haydn Society (H+H) today announced the appointment of Lecolion Washington, Jr. as the storied ensemble’s next Philip and Marjorie Gerdine President and CEO, effective August 1, 2026.
Washington, a visionary leader and world-renowned musician, currently serves as the Executive Director of the Community Music Center of Boston (CMCB), providing equitable access to music education and arts experiences for students of all ages. He succeeds David Snead, who retired in May 2025. The comprehensive, international executive search process was guided by Arts Consulting Group and included members of the H+H Orchestra and Chorus, administration team, Board of Governors and Board of Advisors, and H+H Artistic Director Jonathan Cohen.
“The Search Committee was unanimously and extremely impressed with Lecolion’s broad range of experience, both as a respected arts leader and as an accomplished musician with global recognition,” said Judith Verhave, Chair of the Board. “The Board of Governors also voted unanimously to approve his appointment—a testament to the extraordinary confidence this organization has in his vision. His unique background will strengthen H+H, ensuring we are positioned for future generations. We could not be more thrilled to welcome him onboard.”
Washington will oversee the strategic, business, and artistic vision of H+H. This includes performances by the renowned H+H Orchestra and Chorus at Boston’s Symphony Hall and NEC’s Jordan Hall, national and international touring, the activities of H+H’s Learning Department including eight youth choruses, community outreach, and business development.
“I was immediately impressed with the artistic excellence of the H+H Orchestra and Chorus and with the board’s commitment to inviting and welcoming not only those who are current subscribers of H+H, but also those who have yet to experience this wonderful institution,” said Washington. “I have devoted my entire career to opening and expanding pathways into music, and I look forward to partnering with Artistic Director Jonathan Cohen, H+H’s extraordinary musicians, the Board, and administrative team to share our music with audiences in Boston and beyond.”
During his nine-year tenure at CMCB, Washington oversaw a 200% growth in net assets and led a successful capital campaign to secure the organization’s first permanent home in Boston’s Roxbury Cultural District. Prior to his work in Boston, he served as a tenured bassoon professor at the University of Memphis and served as co-founder and executive director of the PRIZM Ensemble and the PRIZM International Chamber Music Festival in Memphis. He has also served as a consultant for orchestras around the country, most recently for the Cincinnati Symphony and Nashville Symphony Orchestra.
“On behalf of the musicians of H+H, I look forward to working with Lecolion,” said Jonathan Cohen, H+H Artistic Director. “His commitment to artistic excellence and innovation makes him the ideal partner to lead H+H into its next chapter.”
As an award-winning bassoonist, Washington has performed throughout the world and as a soloist and principal player with ensembles including Orpheus Chamber Orchestra (New York), Sphinx Symphony Orchestra (Detroit), Landmarks Orchestra (Boston), Memphis Symphony, Reno Philharmonic, and many others. His professional accolades include being named a Musical America Top Professional of the Year (2019 and 2025) and a Boston HUBWeek “Change Maker.”
About the Handel and Haydn Society
Boston’s Grammy-winning Handel and Haydn Society performs Baroque and Classical music with a freshness, a vitality, and a creativity that inspires all ages. Called “one of the most exciting ensembles of historically informed performances in the world” (OperaWire), H+H has been captivating audiences for 211 consecutive seasons (the most of any performing arts organization in the United States), speaking to its singular success at welcoming new audiences to this extraordinary music, generation after generation.
H+H performed the “Hallelujah” chorus from Handel’s Messiah in its first concert in 1815, gave the American premiere in 1818, and ever since has been both a musical and a civic leader in the Boston community. During the Civil War, H+H gave numerous concerts in support of the Union Army (H+H member Julia Ward Howe wrote “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”) and on January 1, 1863, H+H performed at the Grand Jubilee Concert celebrating the enactment of the Emancipation Proclamation. Two years later, H+H performed at the memorial service for Abraham Lincoln.
H+H’s Orchestra and Chorus delight more than 76,000 listeners annually through concerts at Symphony Hall and other leading venues as well as radio broadcasts. Through the Karen S. and George D. Levy Learning and Education Program, H+H supports eight youth choirs of singers in grades 2–12 and provides thousands of complimentary tickets to students and communities throughout Boston, ensuring the joy of music is accessible to all. H+H provides deeply discounted tickets and hosts special events for undergraduate students and concertgoers under 40 through the H+H Masterpass and H² membership programs. H+H has released 16 CDs on the CORO label and has toured nationally and internationally. In all these ways, H+H fulfills its mission to inspire the intellect, touch the heart, elevate the soul, and connect all of us with our shared humanity through transformative experiences with Baroque and Classical music.