Ludovic Morlot first guest-conducted the Seattle Symphony in October 2009 . He returned in April 2010 , as a substitute conductor in the wake of the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruptions . Based on these appearance , in June 2010 , the orchestra announced the appointment of Morlot as its 15th music director , effective with the 2011 – 2012 season , with an initial contract of six years . During Morlot 's tenure , the orchestra initiated its own recording label , ' Seattle Symphony Media ' . In July 2015 , the orchestra announced the extension of Morlot 's contract through the 2018-2019 season . Morlot has taken particular interest in fostering music from Seattle-based composers , including composers within the orchestra itself . His work with the orchestra has included the commissioning and premiere of John Luther Adams ' '' Become Ocean '' , which went on to win the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for Music and the 2015 Grammy Award for Best Classical Contemporary Composition . The commercial recording of '' Become Ocean '' , for Cantaloupe Music , led to a donation by Taylor Swift to the Seattle Symphony of USD $ 50,000 . Morlot and the orchestra have received additional Grammy Awards for their recordings of music of Henri Dutilleux . In April 2017 , the orchestra announced that Morlot is to conclude his tenure as music director at the end of the 2018 – 2019 season
2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruptions
2010 eruptions of Eyjafjallajökull
Seattle Symphony