Effective Orchestra Governance: A Guide for Boards – free to members

Effective Orchestra Governance: A Guide for Boards, Second Edition, authored by Marla J. Bobowick, is a new book from the League of American Orchestras which builds on the clear, practical counsel of the first edition.

The new book is relevant to orchestras of all budget sizes, features the voices of musicians and youth leadership, and incorporates best practices in equity, diversity, and inclusion throughout. In addition to new content on organizational culture, you’ll find the latest thinking on effective board practices and exploration of orchestra-specific governance issues that arise day to day.

Intended as a resource and reference tool for board leaders, Effective Orchestra Governance is designed for leaders navigating today’s constantly changing and increasingly challenging environment, where inspired leadership, healthy cultures, and sustainable business models are essential to building strong orchestras and organizations.

“We hope this guide will support orchestras in fulfilling their missions to provide inspirational music in their communities,” says Simon Woods, League President and CEO. “My sincerest gratitude goes to the thousands of orchestra board members across the country for their passion for music and dedication to the communities they serve.”

We are also grateful for the expert voices of our Advisory Group, which represents board members, musicians, executive directors, and youth leadership from orchestras of all budget sizes; and for Ellen Hirzy, Lowell Noteboom, and David Nygren, the editors of the first edition, whose insights laid the foundation for the current publication.

Preorder a paperback copy

Pricing

eBook: Free for members / $15 non-members*
Printed Book: $15 members / $25 non-members*

Quantity discounts are available. Contact Member Services at 646 822 4010 or member@americanorchestras.org for more information.

If ordering the paperback version of the book, please allow 2-3 weeks for shipping. Printed copies ordered in May 2026 will ship in June, due to proximity to the League’s National Conference. Conference attendees participating in the Orchestra Board Member Forum or the Raising the Bar on Board Engagement Pre-Conference Seminar will receive a complimentary physical copy at the event.

*Interested in becoming a member? Visit our Connect page or contact Member Services.

Acknowledgements

The League thanks the following people and organizations for their contributions to this Guide:

About the Author

Marla J. Bobowick is a nonprofit governance consultant based in Washington, DC. She has more than 30 years of experience working with organizations of all types and sizes on board structures, practices, and behaviors.

Marla has been affiliated with BoardSource since 1998 and serves on its Research Advisory Council. As vice president, she was responsible for Leading with Intent: A National Index of Nonprofit Board Practices, The Source: 12 Principles of Governance That Power Exceptional Boards, and the research project that resulted in Governance as Leadership.

She is the author of Principles of Trusteeship and co-author of Assessing Board Performance, published by the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges. Previously, Marla was an acquisitions editor at John Wiley & Sons. Marla holds a BA from Amherst College and an MBA from Case Western Reserve University. She is a past board chair of Maryland Nonprofits and a former board member of Calvary Women’s Services.

Advisory Group

We are deeply indebted to the advisory group members, whose sustained engagement and insights shaped this guide. Their wisdom, perspectives, and experiences illuminate both the joys and the complexities of orchestra leadership:

Daniel Byon, Youth Board Member, Empire State Youth Orchestra
Rebecca Calos, Executive Director, Ensembles, Empire State Youth Orchestra
John Forsyte, Chief Executive Officer, Pacific Symphony
Douglas Hagerman, Board Member, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
Ross Lanzafame, Board Member and Past Board Chair, Rochester Philharmonic
Mario Lopez, John W. & Carol L.H. Green Chief Executive Officer, Billings Symphony
Jessica Phillips, Second and E-flat Clarinet, Met Orchestra
Jessica Schmidt, Founder and Consultant, Orchestrate Inclusion
Libby Watson, Executive Director, Adrian Symphony Orchestra

We also thank the following individuals who offered valuable perspectives and guidance at key stages of the project:

Paul Jarrett, Executive Director, Akron Symphony Orchestra
Courtney Millbrook, Executive Director, Lansing Symphony Orchestra
Lowell Noteboom, JD, Partner of Stinson LLP and former board chair of the League of American Orchestras
Jesse Rosen, former President and CEO of the League of American Orchestras and Board Member, Durham Symphony

We are humbled to follow in the footsteps of the previous authors: David Nygren, past chair of BoardSource, and Ellen Hirzy, editor and writer about art institutions and nonprofit governance.

Credits

Author: Marla J. Bobowick

Editorial Advisor: Simon Woods, President and CEO

Contributing Editor and Project Lead: Dr. Karen Yair, Vice President, Research and Resources

Reviewers: Andrew Clark, Vice President, Finance and Administration; Sarah Generes, Vice President, Development; Heather Noonan, Vice President, Advocacy; David Styers, Director, Learning and Leadership Programs; Caen Thomason-Redus, Vice President, Inclusion and Learning

Editor and Design Manager: Rachel Rossos Gallant, Vice President, Marketing and Membership

Photography Manager: Nichole Fehrman, Director, Marketing and Communications

Designer: Melanie O’Neill

Web Layout: Joanna Bettelheim, Digital Manager and Storyteller

Effective Orchestra Governance: A Guide for Boards, Second Edition, was made possible by a generous grant from The Clinton Family Fund.

Additional support was provided by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.