Bowden Announces Retirement from THSO in 2025: Kalia Appointed Artistic Director-Designate
Dr. David Bowden, who has directed the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra since 1997, announces his retirement as Artistic Director effective June 30, 2025, completing 28 years of service to the Terre Haute community.
Dr. David Bowden
Bowden said, “It has been my great pleasure to share the joy and power of music with so many people in Terre Haute and the greater Wabash Valley community. I am especially excited about the future of the THSO because of the transitional process to a new conductor that has been implemented by our Board of Directors.“
The Terre Haute Symphony Association (THSA) Board of Directors is excited to announce that Dr. Roger Kalia has been appointed Artistic Director-Designate. He will begin his tenure as Artistic Director on July 1, 2025. Board President, Barbara Hagerman said, “Kalia was David’s first choice for a substitute conductor when David had a family conflict arise in November 2022. Dr. Kalia stepped in and made an immediate connection with the musicians and audience with his musicality and natural charisma. Following David’s recent decision to retire, the Board discussed Kalia’s potential appointment with the musicians. Following their input and further discussion, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Roger Kalia Artistic Director-Designate.”
Dr. Hagerman continued, “While not doing a search for a new music or artistic director is somewhat unusual, there are many in the industry that have skipped a search and appointed an individual to the position. Our Board of Directors is excited that, in naming a designate now, we have a plan that allows a seamless transition from Dr. Bowden’s rich experience and expertise to that of Dr. Kalia.”
Bowden added, “In Dr. Kalia, we have the great privilege of securing an inspiring and exciting conductor, a superb community engagement advocate, and simply a great human being to assume the Artistic Director role for our 2025-2026 season and lead us into the future.”
Dr. Roger Kalia
A native of New York State, Dr. Roger Kalia holds degrees from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, the University of Houston, and SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music. Roger is currently the Music Director of the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra (Evansville, IN), Symphony New Hampshire (NH), and Orchestra Santa Monica (CA). He is also Co-Founder and Music Director of the Lake George Music Festival in upstate New York. Roger has guest conducted many orchestras across the United States, including the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center, Chicago Sinfonietta, Louisiana Philharmonic, Hollywood Chamber Orchestra, Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, and the Long Beach Symphony among many others. Kalia is married to musicologist/violinist Dr. Christine Wisch.
Roger Kalia said, “I had a great experience with the THSO when I stepped in to conduct a concert with the orchestra in November 2022. As Artistic Director-Designate, I am excited to work with the musicians and Board of Directors to lead this orchestra into a new chapter while continuing the tradition of excellence established by David Bowden.”
THSO Executive Director, Dr. Samantha Johnson-Helms, also shared her thoughts. “It has been such a treat to work with David since I joined the THSO as Principal Clarinet in 2013, and I am grateful I have been able to lead the organization alongside him as Executive Director since 2020. Dr. Kalia has extensive experience working with orchestras around the country, so I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with him and advance the THSO into its next era of serving Terre Haute and the Wabash Valley.”
Of Bowden’s unusually long tenure with the orchestra, President Hagerman said, “He has produced an orchestra that consistently provides performances that rival those of much larger cities. Besides being an extremely talented artistic director and conductor, David Bowden has been a passionate supporter of our community and is the reason that our symphony is thriving today. The THSA Board of Directors is honored to bestow the title of THSO Conductor Laureate and Principal Guest Conductor to Dr. Bowden upon his retirement.”