The Rochester Chamber Orchestra announced Monday that Gerard Floriano has been named Artistic Director for the 2014-15 season, and will become the Orchestra's Music director in August 2015. Current Music Director and Principal Conductor David Felter will continue in his role through the upcoming season.

Floriano, a Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at SUNY Geneseo and conductor of the Greater Buffalo Youth Orchestra, is also the Director of the Conductor's Institute at Opera Viva! In Vicenza, Italy, and the Artistic Director of the newly formed Finger Lakes Opera.

"The RCO Board and I look forward to working with Maestro Floriano in the coming years," said Ray Grosswirth, president of the Rochester Chamber Orchestra. "He is a master of the baton, and he is a wonderful person to collaborate with."

The Rochester Chamber Orchestra's 2014-15 season will open on October 12 with a tribute to the late Jan DeGaetani, a professor of voice at the Eastman School of Music. The concert, conducted by Floriano, will commemorate the 25th anniversary of DeGaetani's death and will feature works by women composers.

When Floriano takes over as Music Director next year, David Felter will become Conductor Laureate, returning every year to direct the RCO's annual performance of Handel's "Messiah."

"I also appreciate the fact that our current and long-time music director, David Felter, played an important role in the transition that is about to take place," Grosswirth said.