The career of Annapolis Symphony Orchestra conductor Gisele Ben-Dor has just gone bi-coastal.

Earlier this month, Ms. Ben-Dor was named music director of the Santa Barbara Symphony.

She will become the ninth music director in the California orchestra's 41-year history and the first woman to assume the post.

Ms. Ben-Dor will retain the directorship of the Annapolis Symphony, says orchestra Executive Director Patricia Edwards.

The Santa Barbara Symphony presents seven pairs of subscription concerts over an eight-month season and maintains an annual budget of $1.2 million.

The ASO budget is $494,000.

Lately Ms. Ben-Dor, who begins her fourth season at the ASO helm at Maryland Hall on Oct. 7, has made great career strides.

She recently conducted the New York Philharmonic at Lincoln Center, filling in at the last moment for the ailing Kurt Masur.

She received excellent notices from the Boston Globe for her handling of a Boston Pops concert last week, and will make her debut with the London Symphony next season.

Ms. Ben-Dor also will retain the directorship of the ProArte Chamber Orchestra of Boston.

"We got ourselves a rising star and we're just glad we still have her. She has meant so much to our orchestra," Ms. Edwards said.