Joseph Young is stepping down from his role as music director of Berkeley Symphony at the end of the 2024-25 season, after six years on the job. 

Young is only the orchestra’s fourth music director in its half-century history. His appointment at the beginning of the 2019-20 concert season was a surprise, since he initially made his way to the symphony to step in for an ill colleague. Despite not being on anyone’s radar for more than his brief understudying, Young impressed the orchestra and its leaders so much with the single concert program that he left as top candidate for its next music director.   

“I am proud of all that we have accomplished together,” Young said in a statement. “From our very first performances, the musicians and audiences enthusiastically embraced programs that centered our local community, elevated contemporary American voices, and celebrated the canon in new and dynamic ways.”

Young expanded the orchestra’s musical offerings and saw it through its 50th anniversary celebration, which featured Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. During his tenure, the orchestra’s attendance increased by more than 40%. Young was also part of the judging panel for the Emerging Black Composers Project, which was launched in 2020 by the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and the San Francisco Symphony to foster new musical works by developing Black composers. The project awards winning composers a $15,000 commissioning fee and musical mentorship. 

“Joseph has brought fresh perspectives to our programming, including five commissioned works and eight World or West Coast premieres during his tenure,” Marion Atherton, the Symphony’s executive director, said in a statement. “I am especially grateful to Joseph for his work in strengthening our community connections, making classical music more accessible and engaging for all Berkeley residents.”

The Berkeley Symphony board of directors is working on creating a search committee to find Young’s successor.

Reach Zara Irshad: zara.irshad@sfchronicle.com