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Executive Leadership and Management

The League of American Orchestras supports executive leaders and orchestra managers through all of its channels and publications, including but not limited to its webinars, National Conference, and Symphony magazine.

The League also offers constituency groups for executive directors of orchestras of different budget sizes. These meet at the National Conference and throughout the year. If you are an executive director of a member orchestra, contact Member Services at member@americanorchestras.org to make sure you are listed in our database so that you have access to these meetings and to our online discussion forums on League360.

On this page, you’ll find examples of some of the resources of interest to executives and managers, but be sure to visit various sections of the website–and to use the search function–to find more.

Essentials of Orchestra Management Read article

Executive Leadership & Management

Essentials of Orchestra Management

Essentials of Orchestra Management, the premier orchestra management course in the United States, returned to New York after nearly a decade! Presented in collaboration with Juilliard Extension on the Lincoln Center Campus July 26 – August 4, 2023.
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Executive Leadership & Management

Emerging Leaders Program

The League of American Orchestras’ Emerging Leaders Program ran from 2015-2020 to cultivate and strengthen the capabilities of high-potential orchestra professionals.

Learn Governance

June 3, 2016

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

Effective Orchestra Governance: A Guide for Boards is a new book from the League of American Orchestras, filled with smart, succinct advice and free for members to download. (The League mailed a hard copy in June 2016 to member orchestra board chairs and executive directors.)

On-Demand Webinars

Symphony Magazine Articles

  • Executive Leadership & Management

    April 13, 2022

    Cementing Flexibility

    Will the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra’s new collective-bargaining agreement, with more flexible work rules, usher in permanent changes in how orchestras and musicians work together?

  • Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

    April 13, 2022

    Catalyzing Progress

    The League’s new Catalyst Guide, Promising Practices: Actions Orchestras Can Take to Make Progress Toward Equity, provides concrete advice and real-world examples from orchestras that are working to expand equity, diversity, and inclusion.

  • Governance

    April 13, 2022

    Board Room: The View from the Chair

    Our tumultuous era presents an opportunity for board chairs to lead their orchestras in rebuilding and renewing their organizations. What do today’s leaders expect as they look forward?

  • COVID-19

    January 27, 2021

    Forward Thinking: A World More Embracing

    As orchestras grapple with the financial and organizational challenges of recalibrating their business models for a post-pandemic world, compelling opportunities to rethink relationships with local communities and society itself are emerging. – Simon Woods, League President and CEO

Banner: The Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Benjamin Zander, photographed in concert in November 2019. Photo: Perfect Bokeh Photography, Paul Marotta

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