IDAHO FALLS — As Thomas Heuser reflects on his last 15 years with the Idaho Falls Symphony, he’s amazed by its “incredible momentum and trajectory” in more than 100 concerts.

The 42-year-old Missouri native is the nonprofit’s music director, and he will step down at the end of the 2025-2026 season.

Heuser lives in Durango, Colorado, where he’s also the music director for the San Juan Symphony. The constant back-and-forth takes time away from his family, he says. Though it’s a difficult decision, he tells EastIdahoNews.com it’s time to step down and pursue other opportunities.

“It just felt like the right time,” Heuser says. “The orchestra is playing at its best, and we’ve got so much momentum and support for the symphony. We’re going out on a high note.”

He’ll continue as music director of the San Juan Symphony, but he’s looking for a new adventure outside of Idaho Falls and is excited about the next chapter of his career.

Still, he’s going to miss his time in eastern Idaho. His interaction with students in the Idaho Falls Symphony Youth Orchestra is among his favorite experiences in this capacity.

“Seeing them at age 9 when I first met them, and now they’re off to college — watching them excel at their instruments and look up to me as director has been so rewarding,” says Heuser.

He says he will treasure “the relationships with people and the students.”

The symphony’s sponsors and patrons have also become “dear friends,” and Heuser wants to make the last year his best.

Heuser’s musical journey

“Music, in general, has been an incredible force in my life for good.”

Heuser was a 28-year-old doctoral student studying abroad in Germany on a Fulbright Scholarship with the University of Cincinnati’s Conservatory of Music when he saw the Idaho Falls job posting through the League of American Orchestras. He was one of about 150 candidates who applied for the position.

Though he had no ties to Idaho Falls or the Gem State, Heuser says the thing that appealed to him about the job was the symphony’s emphasis on “having a strong community focus.”

“Those things, along with the idea that you could run a symphony that has seven subscription programs a year and a thriving youth organization — it just checked all the boxes for me,” Heuser says.

That idea of connecting with the community has been a major part of Heuser’s tenure. He’s been a regular presence in elementary schools and universities, according to a symphony news release, and has provided continuing education for adults with his pre-concert talks and lectures to civic groups.

He helped launch outreach concerts in Driggs and curated a “Double Orchestra” concert with his colleagues at the Idaho State Civic Symphony in Pocatello.

Heuser’s interest in music stems back to his childhood in St. Louis, Missouri, where he took piano and violin lessons. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in piano performance from Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York.

His desire for collaboration with other musicians led him to conducting, which spurred him on to graduate school.

Heuser finds his career fulfilling and couldn’t imagine doing anything else.

“Music, in general, has been an incredible force in my life for good and helped me meet people and see the world,” he says.

‘Big shoes to fill’

In a news release, Idaho Falls Symphony Board President Kim Carpenter expresses appreciation for Heuser and says he will be missed.

“Thomas is leaving big shoes to fill,” Carpenter says. “His impact and legacy will long be felt in our orchestra and our community.”

Executive Director Carrie Athay expresses a similar sentiment, saying the community has been “elevated” because of Heuser’s skill, expertise and “artistic vision” for the symphony.

“When Thomas steps on the podium, he guides us on magnificent musical journeys. We are very fortunate to share one more season with him,” Athay says in a news release.

As the Idaho Falls Symphony Board begins its search for a new music director, Heuser says it’s the symphony musicians he’s going to miss most.

“We just have such a great time together in rehearsals and performances. These kinds of relationships that you build are very special and close-knit,” says Heuser. “I look forward to the next 10-plus concerts over the next year.”

Once the application period opens for a new music director, the hiring process is expected to take about two years. The symphony will fill the position in time for the 2027-2028 season.