Grant Gershon staying with L.A. Master Chorale through 2019-20 season

Conductor Grant Gershon is extending his tenure with the Los Angeles Master Chorale by five years through the end of the 2019-20 season, company leaders announced on Wednesday. Gershon, who joined the choral group in 2001, will take on the title of artistic director starting in July.

The company said in a news release that the new title -- he currently holds the title of music director -- is intended to reflect Gershon’s “expanded vision to redefine the choral experience.”

Gershon’s current contract was expected to conclude at the end of the 2014-15 season. The five-year extension will allow the company “to plan strategically in an unprecedented way,” the conductor said in a prepared statement.

An experienced choral and opera conductor, Gershon leads the master chorale’s performances that usually take place at Walt Disney Concert Hall. In addition, he serves as the chorus director and a resident conductor at Los Angeles Opera, and has led performances with the opera company since 2009.

Gershon has also collaborated a number of times with the L.A. Philharmonic, including recent concerts of Philip Glass’ music from Robert Wilson’s epic “the CIVIL warS” at Disney Hall.