The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra announced today that Music Director Christopher Seaman will step down from his current position with the symphony at the conclusion of the 2010-2011 season. Seaman, who has been with the RPO since 1998, was also given the lifetime title of conductor laureate.

Seaman cited the recent re-opening of the renovated and renamed Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre as the culmination of many dreams, including his own, and said he believes he is currently "at the pinnacle of my dreams for the orchestra." At 13 seasons, Seaman has the longest tenure of any music director in RPO history, and said that he has stayed in his current position twice as long as most music directors in the business.

RPO President and CEO Charlie Owens announced plans for "A Celebration Beyond Measure," an ongoing series of special concerts and events to fete Seaman leading up to his retirement, which will also include a five-disc CD box set of his greatest RPO performances. Details on the remainder of the events are still being put together, but will include a huge gala in celebration of Seaman's 70th birthday on March 7, 2012.

It's true that 2012 comes after Seaman will step down from his current position, but as conductor laureate he will continue his affiliation with the RPO, conducting at least one week of the philharmonics series per year for the foreseeable future.

No plans for Seaman's replacement were announced, but the RPO is bringing in a variety of guest conductors for this season and next, and those are typically seen as informal auditions for incoming music directors.