The UK-raised conductor Sarah Ioannides has decided to leave Symphony Tacoma, in Washington state, after 12 years in charge. She will depart next year.

Ioannides, 52, was previously music director of the El Paso Symphony for six years. She has been one of the first women to make a fulltime conducting career in the US.

She says: 'Tacoma has been a terrific place to raise a family, and I will always be inspired by the wonderful community and people, many who will, I hope, be part of our future.'