Admin OH
David Deitrick
Executive Director
Springfield Symphony Orchestra
Springfield, Ohio
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Years in current position: 4
Years in the field: 4
Majors:
Bachelor’s in Music (Education)
Master’s in Music (Conducting)
D.M.A. (Conducting)
Additional Training:
I received both musical and administrative training in the Army, in addition to my university training.
Career Path:
I spent 30 years in the Army in military music, five years as a player and 25 years as conductor and administrator.
Positions: Music Director and Executive Director at Fort Dix, New
Jersey; Heidelberg, Germany; and West Point, New York; Assistant
Conductor in Washington, D.C.; Music Supervisor in San Antonio, Texas
(13 states) and Europe; Visiting Director of Bands, Northern Kentucky
University (after U.S. Army).
What are the most surprising, interesting or challenging aspects of your day-to-day work?
I enjoy working with professional musicians, and find patron
development very satisfying. I am more involved in helping the music
director shape the musical direction than I expected, mostly driven by
the need to develop the audience. The constant demands of raising money
are always a challenge.
What inspired you to work for an orchestra?
When nothing was opening up that interested me as a conductor after
leaving the Army and the university, I chose to capitalize on my
management experience with musical organizations.
Would you do anything differently?
I chose the Army when I realized I wasn’t ready to teach, then
found that I like working in a professional musical setting. I made
music my focus, both my work and my hobby.
What advice would you offer to someone considering the orchestra field?
My background is pretty unique. I have found my musical training
and experience an exceptional preparation for being an executive
director. I would advise anyone to have a solid grounding in our art
and a love for what we do.
Any other advice?
Running an orchestra is more about people than processes. You must
want to develop a rapport with musicians, your board, and your
patrons/donors. If you don’t truly like and understand people, you
won’t be very successful.
Warren W. Hyer
Executive Director
Central Ohio Symphony
Delaware, Ohio
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Years in current position: 17
Years in the field: 17
Majors:
B.M. Performance
Additional Training:
Association of Fundraising Professioanls training and seminars
Career Path:
Personnel Manager
Professional musician
Manufacturer of musical instruments
What are the most surprising, interesting or challenging aspects of your day-to-day work?
The challenges of building a quality product and getting it all done.
What inspired you to work for an orchestra?
Desire to help this organization move forward and to help our community.
What were your first steps toward an orchestra career?
Volunteering as a trustee and helping wherever needed. It would not happen the same way today. Too much has changed.
What advice would you offer to someone considering the orchestra field?
Work for the organization, not for yourself. It will come.
Connie Pomeroy
Assistant to the Music Director
The Cleveland Orchestra
Cleveland Ohio
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Years in current position: Less than 1
Years in the field: 20
Majors:
Business
Additional Training:
Organization, communication, computer, writing, interpersonal courses and seminars
Career Path:
Cleveland Museum of Art: Finance and Purchasing Administrator, Department Coordinator for Information Technology
Department Assistant for Finance, BP America
What are the most surprising, interesting or challenging aspects of your day-to-day work?
Working with the visiting artists is very interesting—getting to
talk with people from all over the world. It can be challenging to
provide people with what they need and want before they know what that
is.
What inspired you to work for an orchestra?
Being involved in producing such magnificent events, like a concert or an opera, is very exciting.
What advice would you offer to someone considering the orchestra field?
Network all your friends, including their parents. Most jobs are
found from friends or friends of friends. Don’t be afraid to try new
things, you can always make a turn off if you do not like your current
path. Ask pointed questions during interviews to be sure you understand
the expectations of the job.
Any other advice?
Remember, you will be working with artists. Sometimes they have a
unique view of the world and management must understand and be able to
work with this view.
Eugenia Strauss
Executive Director
CityMusic Cleveland
Cleveland, Ohio
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Years in current position: 4
Years in the field: 4
Career Path:
Director of Development, Friends of the Cleveland School of the Arts
Chairman of the Board, Pilobolus Dance Company
Trustee, Cleveland Ballet
Founder, CityMusic Cleveland
What are the most surprising, interesting or challenging aspects of your day-to-day work?
To balance the budget, build collaborations, and developing cutting-edge management policies.
What inspired you to work for an orchestra?
I founded this orchestra to show that, given half a chance,
ordinary citizens enjoy classical music and will be supportive of it.
What advice would you offer to someone considering the orchestra field?
Have a vision, be creative, and try new approaches.
Any other advice?
Have great people skills and know how to build relationships in the funding world.