The Scottish Runnicles, who also serves as principal guest conductor of the Atlanta Symphony and principal conductor of the Orchestra of St. Luke's in New York, caused a stir earlier this year when he told a German paper that he would leave the United States if George W. Bush was re-elected president. In the end, however, politics did not seem to figure into his decision to remain.
"It has been a privilege over the past twelve years to help shape the company," he said in a statement. "I am honored to have the chance to deepen my relationship with this extraordinary organization and am excited about its future."