Bay Area pays tribute to Michael Morgan, longtime Oakland symphony conductor

The Bay Area arts and culture community is mourning the news that Michael Morgan, longtime music director and conductor of the Oakland Symphony, passed away last Friday at the age of 63.

During his career, Morgan influenced countless local musicians who performed under his guidance, as well as the larger Oakland community.

Earlier last week, the Oakland Symphony announced that Morgan had to step down from conducting the anticipated Summer Stage free concerts at Brooklyn Basin because he had been hospitalized with an infection.

Maestro Morgan did have several recent public appearances, however, including as a guest conductor of the San Francisco Symphony at Davies Symphony Hall on July 23, and at the Bear Valley Music Festival on July 29 and Aug.

Pull quote: “Michael had a high-pitched, sonorous, pealing laugh that would frequently burst into a conversation, sometimes at unpredictable junctures.

An Oakland icon, Michael Morgan blessed our city for 30 years as Music Director + Conductor of the Oakland Symphony.

She was a writer and social media editor for the East Bay Express, helping readers navigate Oakland’s rich artistic and creative landscapes through a wide range of innovative digital approaches.

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