League Forward: Summer/Fall 2024
The Newsletter for Supporters of the League of American Orchestras
Dear Friends,
I hope that this summer has been a time of refreshment for everyone, and that as orchestras begin their new seasons you are looking forward to the great music that awaits in the coming year!
As I look back over the past few months, a few things stand out. Our Conference in June in Houston was a hugely uplifting success. The weather was not too hot and humid, and despite the challenges of the post-pandemic environment, there was optimism and buoyancy around the Conference that I really appreciated. Orchestras are grappling creatively with a rapid pace of societal change, and it’s exciting to see so many new ideas being showcased and discussed. I was also incredibly heartened to be able to observe how our field continuously regenerates – more than 15% of attendees were at a League Conference for the first time, many of them relatively early in their career journeys. The orchestra world is an extremely collegial one, and it is our privilege at the League to be able to support the great people of our field with a constant stream of learning, networking, and career development opportunities.
And speaking of career development, July saw us gathering at The Juilliard School in New York for the 2024 edition of Essentials of Orchestra Management. This program is always a joy in the way it brings together a stellar guest faculty from across the field together with 35 talented mid-career leaders together for an intensive learning experience around the challenges and opportunities orchestras face. As ever, I left the 10 days feeling intellectually stimulated and invigorated by the class, and incredibly hopeful for the future of orchestras. This year’s Essentials class joins the more than 400 other graduates across the country in leading our field ever upward. You can find a few career updates from League alumni in this newsletter.
There are no really quiet periods of the year here at the League, but August does give our small and excellent team a moment of relief to plan for the year ahead, work quietly on content for the next conference, talk to presenters about upcoming webinars, put the finishing touches on new research resources we’ll share this year, and plan for new programs that are about to roll out.
More than ever, we are reliant on generous support from individual donors for our work for orchestras. Member dues support just 30% of the League’s operations and – as with most nonprofits – we are increasingly dependent on private support. Our work is only possible because of donors like you, and we are grateful for your support. Loretta “Lori” Julian has loyally supported us for many years and is a great advocate for our work. Please read a wonderful short interview with Lori.
Finally, I want to offer a huge thank you to our newest donors to the League family, who joined us during the 2023-24 season. We gratefully acknowledge your passion, enthusiasm, and support for the important work we do for orchestras and the field!
As we move into fall, I send you warmest wishes for the season ahead – and I hope that your hearts will be filled with the endless inspiration of the great music orchestras provide, week in, week out.
With sincerest gratitude,
Simon Woods
President and CEO
League of American Orchestras
In This Issue
- Donor Spotlight: Lori Julian
- “Dream Big!” The League’s 79th Annual Conference in Houston
- Congratulations to the Essentials of Orchestra Management Class of 2024
- Soaring to New Heights: League Alumni Career News
- Securing the Future of American Orchestras: League Legacy Society
- Welcome New League Donors!
Donor Spotlight: Lori Julian
Meet the people who help drive the League’s critical work for orchestras and the field.
Lori Julian, a long-time supporter of the League, serves on the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association Board of Trustees, the Negaunee Music Institute Board, and is a member of the League President’s Council. She generously supports a variety of initiatives, including the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, the Civic Fellowship program, the Negaunee Music Institute and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s MusicNOW series. Among her philanthropy, Lori has prioritized the educational programs of the CSO’s Negaunee Music Institute and the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. Lori also serves on the boards of the Ryan Opera Center and WFMT/WTTW, and she especially enjoys opportunities to support collaborations for the benefit of all. “I’ve always loved collaborative work, and this is what happens at Conference—you go to the group sessions and you get a much broader perspective of the challenges and opportunities.” Read more from Lori.
“Dream Big!” The League’s 79th Annual Conference in Houston
On June 6-8, 2024, the League gathered over 900 delegates in Houston to meet their peers face-to-face to imagine new ways to deepen relationships with our audiences and communities, forge pathways to financial sustainability, understand the impact of artificial intelligence, increase diversity and inclusion both on and offstage, grow artistically, and invite the voices of the next generation to help shape the future. As always, Conference was filled with inspiring music, from an opening session showcasing the Houston Youth Symphony conducted by Artistic Director Michael Webster performing Jessie Montgomery’s Soul Force and Revueltas’s Sensemayá, to the ROCO Women Composers in Concert including Gabriela Lena Frank’s Elegia Andina, and the Houston Symphony’s exciting concert performance of Strauss’s Salome.
This year, our opening keynote featured thought-provoking remarks from Grammy-award winning composer and pianist Gabriel Lena Frank, and the presentation of the Gold Baton Award, the League’s highest honor, to arts leader and former President and Artistic Director of Gateways Music Festival, Lee Koonce. In addition to his leadership roles for organizations including Ballet Hispanico, Third Street Music Settlement, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Lee is an important member of the League Community, serving over the years as League Board Members, Essentials of Orchestra Management faculty member, leader of the Community Engagement Committee among other leadership roles.
Our closing session featured Resilient Sounds, a Houston Symphony project celebrating the determination and hope of Houston’s refugee communities. Led by former Composer-in-Residence Jimmy López Bellido, Resilient Sounds is an innovative multidisciplinary project that culminates in a special concert in which six student composers from Rice University and the University of Houston have each been paired with a member of Houston’s refugee community, then instructed to tell their partner’s story through music. This inspiring project, which is also in partnership with Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston, provides the composers and audience members the opportunity to learn about and develop a deeper appreciation for thousands of refugees who call Houston home. During the closing session, Jimmy López Bellido shared his vision in founding Resilient Sounds and introduced a powerful live performance of What It Takes to Thrive by Patrick W. Lenz, with words by Logan Butcher and narration and acting by Muhammad Yunus-Khaerisman, conducted by Gonzalo Farias, Assistant Conductor, Houston Symphony.
Check out our featured sessions and more Conference content.
Save the date! We look forward to convening for the 2025 National Conference in Salt Lake City—June 11-13, 2025.
Congratulations to the Essentials of Orchestra Management Class of 2024
On July 24-August 2, 2024, the League welcomed an international cohort of 35 orchestra and arts professionals for its flagship professional development program, Essentials of Orchestra Management, at The Juilliard School in New York City. This year’s topics included artistic planning and leadership; development, finance, and strategic planning; equity, diversity, and inclusion; education, community engagement, and youth programs; human resources and organizational culture; leadership and governance; advocacy, marketing, and communications; digital and electronic media; orchestra operations; and negotiations. This year’s cohort also experienced two Festival Orchestra of Lincoln Center concerts and a tour of David Geffen Hall, as well as peer discussions, mentoring opportunities, and a special breakout on Women in the Arts Field.
Our 2024 cohort of orchestra professionals gained a truly immersive experience with experts in the field, an overall sense of community and open discussion, building relationships with their peers, and the opportunity to be part of helping to move their organizations and the industry forward. Essentials participants tackled real-life challenges that orchestras face today and highlighted the creative, adaptive, and community-oriented skills that leaders need to navigate an ever-evolving landscape. America’s flagship program for early- and mid-career orchestra and arts professionals, Essentials of Orchestra Management offers a pathway to future leadership and career success; since its inception in 2000, more than 600 individuals have participated in the program. Now in its 24th year, Essentials connects, inspires, and challenges tomorrow’s leaders, providing them the knowledge they need to enhance their careers.
Once again, Essentials of Orchestra Management was the highlight of my professional year. The cohort of 35 students from across the field, and around the world, was intelligent, empathetic, engaged, focused, committed, and fun. This also describes the distinguished faculty members, who invested so much of themselves in the program and the students. The result was a 10-day experience that inspired me and everyone involved to keep doing the crucial work of bringing music to more and more people in a world that desperately needs it. I am grateful that the League is so committed to this program, and honored to play a role in it.
– Scott Faulkner, faculty director, Essentials of Orchestra Management
Soaring to New Heights: League Alumni Career News
Marquise Lindsay-Bradley (Essentials ’23) started a new position as Marketing and Engagement Director at the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society in January. Marquise continues to work with Philadelphia-based Olney Culture Lab as Co-Host of the Audio Olney podcast and the curator of their summer concert series.
Pamela Carlero Wardell (Anne Parsons Leadership Program ’23) took on a senior role with the Jacksonville Symphony as Senior Director of Development, Capital and Special Campaigns.
Elizabeth Graiser (Essentials ’23) was recently appointed to the Artistic Services Coordinator role at the Atlanta Opera.
Vivo (Essentials ’23) has been named the inaugural director of Street Symphony.
Daniela Nardi (Essentials ’23) was appointed Executive Director of the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir.
Kirsten Flock-Ritchie (Essentials ’22) was promoted to Artistic Administrator of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
Kathryn Banks (Essentials ’23) started a new role in December 2023 as Orchestra Line Producer at Lincoln Center.
Phil Gutierrez is now serving in a new role as Assistant Director of Production at the New York Philharmonic.
Attention League Alumni! Share your career highlights with us—please contact Melanie Hausmann at mhausmann@americanorchestras.org to share your good news.
Securing the Future of American Orchestras: League Legacy Society
A legacy gift is a wonderful way to show your support for the League and orchestras, while achieving your own philanthropic, estate-planning, and financial goals. By investing in the League with a planned gift, you are helping the League support and champion the contributions orchestras make to create healthy and vibrant communities, and fortify the League’s critical work for the future. Join the League Legacy Society today and make a difference that resonates beyond your lifetime. Join the League Legacy Society with a planned gift and help secure the future of the League and orchestras.
To learn more about the League Legacy Society, including benefits of membership and sample bequest language, please contact Melanie Hausmann, mhausmann@americanorchestras.org.
Coming Soon! October is estate planning month. We look forward to sharing useful highlights and resources in our next edition of League Forward. We welcome the opportunity to work with you as you consider how you will create a lasting legacy for orchestras and the field.
Welcome New League Donors!
The League welcomes our newest donors to the League family during fiscal year 2024. We gratefully acknowledge your passion, enthusiasm, and support for the important work we do for orchestras and the field. We offer a range of Donor Benefits for League supporters, and we encourage you to continue to engage with the League through our webinars, seminars, convenings, and resources.
My philanthropic support of the League reflects my commitment to ensure that the League can continue to lead the field, helping orchestras create a lasting impact in their communities and beyond. Although my day job is in education fundraising, my passion for music remains a core part of who I am. The League’s Essentials of Orchestra Management program was pivotal in shaping my career, providing countless opportunities to connect and collaborate with leaders within and outside of the music field.
– Shire Feingold, Leadership Gifts Office, Kent School
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