The Philadelphia Orchestra Association Announces the Appointment of Industry Leaders Ryan Fleur and Matthew Loden to Executive Leadership Positions

In creating a new Executive Office for the Orchestra, Mr. Loden and Mr. Fleur will each serve as an Executive Vice President for the organization with responsibilities for leading and managing multiple constituencies, departments and relationships for the celebrated ensemble

(Philadelphia, March 19, 2012)—The Philadelphia Orchestra Association announced today the appointment of Ryan Fleur as Executive Vice President for Orchestra Advancement and Matthew Loden as Executive Vice President for Institutional Advancement. Both industry leaders join The Philadelphia Orchestra as members of the newly formed Executive Office and will work in close collaboration and partnership with Allison Vulgamore, President and CEO of The Philadelphia Orchestra.

In his role as Executive Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Mr. Loden will oversee the communications, public relations, marketing, and development efforts of the Association and be responsible for the health and growth of earned and contributed revenues in accordance with the Orchestra’s strategic plan. Mr. Loden will be deeply engaged in the soon-to-be launched endowment campaign as well as the critical governance work of the Orchestra’s Board of Directors. He will also serve as the primary leadership liaison for the Orchestra’s relationship with the Kimmel Center and its former home, the Academy of Music.

In his role as Executive Vice President for Orchestra Advancement, Mr. Fleur will have organizational responsibility for all orchestra creative concert, touring and residency fulfillment, orchestra personnel, human resources, shared services (Information Technology and Ticket Philadelphia), and electronic media development. He will also lead the operational implementation of the strategic plan, with specific oversight for the execution of the fiscal model as the organization moves forward from its financial reorganization. As the primary leadership liaison for the Orchestra’s presenting partners, Mr. Fleur will work closely with Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, the Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival, Longwood Gardens, the Mann Center for the Performing Arts, the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, and others.

“This is an important moment of turnaround for our organization as we welcome two gifted leaders within the orchestra industry to Philadelphia,” said Allison Vulgamore. “Matthew and Ryan bring an extraordinary depth of leadership, commitment, and vision to our Orchestra at a time when the organization requires such horsepower to be fully revitalized. I am heartened that all who participated in this hiring process—from Board members to musicians to staff—responded so positively and effusively to both Ryan and Matthew. Both are stars and I am thrilled that they have decided to join us on this exciting yet challenging journey. I strongly believe that the arrival of Matthew and Ryan into the Executive Office will enhance and strengthen our already outstanding and dedicated staff. As CEO, I strive to ensure that our infrastructure—the business of our music making—matches the exemplary artistry of our ensemble. These hires move us forward in meeting that goal.”

Arriving in Philadelphia from Memphis, Tennessee, Mr. Fleur has most recently served—since 2003—as the President and CEO of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. In this role, he has become well-known and highly regarded for his commitment to innovation; transforming the Memphis Symphony Orchestra's business model into an artistically successful organization that is defined by its community service. Highlighted in the book Fearless Journeys, Mr. Fleur not only enabled the creation of a groundbreaking pilot partnership with local corporations, non–profits, and educational institutions, which was funded in full by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, but he also created Leading from Every Chair®, a leadership training program created in partnership with a local Fortune 100 company. Beyond these programs, Mr. Fleur successfully negotiated five new contracts with the musicians of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra during his tenure while also increasing participation from the Board from 60 percent to 100 percent, with their contributions increasing 500 percent.

“I am excited to join The Philadelphia Orchestra at this significant moment in its history,” said Mr. Fleur. “The potential to drive positive change for this organization through innovative work—work that challenges us to think differently and creatively about what we do every day—was incredibly appealing. We have an opportunity to contemplate and enhance the relationship this great Orchestra has with patrons, with Philadelphia, and the world. While there are challenges inherent in accepting this new role, I do so with enthusiasm and confidence knowing that I am joining an outstanding team led by Allison.”

Mr. Loden joins The Philadelphia Orchestra from Aspen, Colorado, where he has served as Vice President and General Manager of the Aspen Music Festival and School (AMFS) since 2008; he was initially hired as the AMFS Director of Operations in 2007. Managing strategic planning efforts for an eight-week, 350 event festival, Mr. Loden oversaw a $6-million budget while supervising more than 100 staff members during the summer season. Further, he was key in successfully developing and implementing a five-year operational strategic plan to support institutional initiatives in new technology, Board and staff education, endowment growth to enhance faculty salaries and student scholarships, and new business models for long-term sustainability. His strong development efforts have resulted in numerous gifts in support of AMFS operations and concert hall construction in Aspen. Prior to his leadership role at AMFS, Mr. Loden served as the Director of Music Admissions at the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University as well as the Artistic Director for Young Audiences of Houston. Mr. Loden has violin performance degrees from Oberlin Conservatory and the Eastman School of Music, and has frequently performed with orchestras and ensembles around the world.

“To be offered the opportunity to engage in such important work for The Philadelphia Orchestra was one that I simply could not ignore,” said Mr. Loden. “This role, while complex and challenging, is one focused on imagining new ways for this celebrated ensemble to grow and succeed—both on and off stage. I have an abiding respect for the accomplishments of this Orchestra and I am invigorated by the chance to help audiences more deeply connect and appreciate its legendary sound. Working within this new structure, led by Allison, is also exciting as it nurtures a collaborative and imaginative environment in which the artistry of the Orchestra can truly thrive.”

Both Mr. Loden and Mr. Fleur bring complementing and wide-ranging talents to The Philadelphia Orchestra— talents that have not only been honed by their respective professional experiences but also, through their esteemed work with the League of American Orchestras. Education is a hallmark of both of their careers and each has been intimately involved in cultivating and promoting young talent. Mr. Fleur is a graduate of the prestigious Orchestra Management Fellowship Program for the League of American Orchestras and Mr. Loden has served as a valued member of the Fellowship Program’s selection committee in recent years.

The hiring of Mr. Fleur and Mr. Loden will allow Ms. Vulgamore to focus more time and attention on the strategic direction of The Philadelphia Orchestra, multi-season planning, and the organization’s major fundraising efforts. As the ensemble prepares to welcome Yannick Nézet-Séguin as its next music director, Ms. Vulgamore will also develop a “100-Year View” of the institution while keeping a keen eye turned toward attracting top-tier musical talent, supporting the Board of Directors, and continuing to cultivate a diverse and dynamic staff.

“Our recent organizational challenges have compelled us to be creative and forward-looking in all we do,” said Vulgamore. “Similar to what drove my development of the Creative Partnership with Robert Spano and Donald Runnicles at the Atlanta Symphony, the hiring of Matthew and Ryan into these critical positions is demonstrative of my deep commitment to finding new and better ways to serve the day-to-day needs of the Orchestra and our audiences. It became clear as this process unfolded that the breadth and depth of the work that needed to be done would be best served through a partnership. I have the utmost confidence in Ryan’s and Matthew’s abilities and I have been impressed by their enthusiasm and resolve. I look forward to working with them closely as we not only sustain—but grow—the artistic and organizational excellence of The Philadelphia Orchestra.”

Mr. Loden and Mr. Fleur, with their families, will arrive in Philadelphia by June 1. In advance of their arrival, both will be involved in planning sessions, meetings, and the life of the Orchestra throughout April and May 2012.

For more information regarding The Philadelphia Orchestra, its current and upcoming concert season, and its history, please visit www.philorch.org.

The Philadelphia Orchestra

Renowned for its distinctive sound, desired for its keen ability to capture the hearts and imaginations of audiences, and admired for an unrivaled legacy of “firsts” in music-making, The Philadelphia Orchestra remains one of the preeminent orchestras in the world. While wholly committed to the exploration of classical music and repertoire, the Orchestra also continues to develop compelling programs that resonate with contemporary audiences. The Philadelphia Orchestra is focused on the future while inspired by a rich tradition of achievement and seeks to not simply sustain the highest level of artistic quality, but to challenge—and exceed—that level by creating a powerful musical experience for audiences around the world.

Artistic Leadership

Demonstrating a deep and abiding commitment to the highest levels of artistic excellence, The Philadelphia Orchestra has cultivated an extraordinary history of artistic leaders in its 112 seasons, including music directors Fritz Scheel, Carl Pohlig, Leopold Stokowski, Eugene Ormandy, Riccardo Muti, Wolfgang Sawallisch, and Christoph Eschenbach, and the Orchestra’s current chief conductor, Charles Dutoit. Under such extraordinary guidance, The Philadelphia Orchestra has served as an unwavering standard of excellence in the world of classical music—and it continues to do so today.

Yannick Nézet-Séguin joins this small yet illustrious group in the 2012-13 season, serving as the eighth music director of The Philadelphia Orchestra. An integral member of the Orchestra’s leadership team since 2010 when he assumed the title of music director designate, Nézet-Séguin also serves as music director of the Rotterdam Philharmonic, principal guest conductor of the London Philharmonic, and artistic director and principal conductor of Montreal’s Orchestre Métropolitain. He brings a wealth of talent and vision that extends beyond symphonic music and into the vivid world of opera and choral music. Nézet-Séguin possesses a distinctive gift for reaching audiences, and arrives well-prepared to share his unmatched versatility and depth with Philadelphia and the world.

Philadelphia is Home

Philadelphia is home and the Orchestra continues to discover new and inventive ways to nurture its relationship with its loyal patrons who support the main season (September-May) in Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. The Kimmel Center, for which the Orchestra serves as the founding resident company, has been the ensemble’s performance hall since 2001. The Philadelphia Orchestra Association continues to own the Academy of Music—a National Historic Landmark and the oldest operating opera house in the nation—as it has since 1957. Each year, the Orchestra returns to the “Grand Old Lady of Locust Street”—where it performed for 101 seasons before moving to the Kimmel Center—for the highly anticipated Academy Anniversary Concert and Ball.

Beyond its robust concert offerings at the Kimmel Center, the Orchestra also performs for Philadelphia audiences during the summer months at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts, as well as in venues across the region, including Penn’s Landing, Longwood Gardens, and the Philadelphia Navy Yard. Many of these performances are part of the ensemble’s free Neighborhood Concert Series as well as its educational and community partnership programs—all of which aim to create greater access and engagement with classical music as an art form.

Commitment to Education

The Philadelphia Orchestra also has an important tradition of presenting educational programs for local audiences—a tradition dating back to 1921 when Leopold Stokowski initiated concerts exclusively for children. Today the Orchestra reaches Philadelphia-area families, teachers, students, and children through a multitude of education and community partnership programs. From Sound All Around (designed for children ages 3-5) to Family Concerts (aimed at children ages 6-12 and their families) to eZseatU (a membership program for full-time college students), The Philadelphia Orchestra seeks to introduce orchestral music to a new generation of listeners through these special programs. Further, the Orchestra aims to engage adult audiences more deeply in its performances through learning programs, including free PreConcert Conversations, which occur before every subscription concert, and Lecture/Luncheons with guest speakers.

In an effort to more directly connect with the youth of Philadelphia, the Orchestra has implemented the Billy Joel School Concert Program, which improves access to the Orchestra’s School Concerts for underserved city schoolchildren and serves approximately 90 elementary and middle schools chosen from within the School District of Philadelphia. The Orchestra’s School Partnership Program also offers students incomparable exposure and access to The Philadelphia Orchestra and its musicians inside the classrooms of five selected schools in the Philadelphia region. The program’s teaching artists work side by side with classroom teachers using curriculum and materials created by the Orchestra’s education department. Finally, The Philadelphia Orchestra collaborates with schools interested in having Orchestra musicians work with their students through the Musicians in the Schools program. These school visits take the form of assembly programs, performances or demonstrations, clinics, and master classes or sectionals, and generally involve a solo musician.

A Cultural Ambassador Abroad

Through concerts, tours, residencies, presentations, and recordings, The Philadelphia Orchestra touches the lives of countless music lovers around the globe. Outside of Philadelphia, the Orchestra enjoys a three-week residency at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in New York—a venue that was built for the Orchestra—as well as a strong partnership with the Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival. The Philadelphia Orchestra also has a long history of touring, having first performed outside of Philadelphia in the earliest days of its founding. The Philadelphia Orchestra was the first American orchestra to perform in the People’s Republic of China in 1973 and, in 2012, The Philadelphia Orchestra will reconnect with its historical roots in China and more deeply embrace its role as a cultural ambassador. The Orchestra will launch a new partnership with the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in Beijing, with a pilot that will unite the Orchestra with talented young Chinese musicians and composers to further develop their orchestral skills. It will also serve to bring orchestral music, through performance and master classes, not only to China’s major cities but also further into the provinces.

An Orchestra that Understands the Power of Innovation in its Art Form

The Philadelphia Orchestra has long pushed the boundaries of convention in the classical music realm. Signature to such a reputation are world and/or American premieres of such important works as Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 (“Symphony of a Thousand”), Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring, Schoenberg’s Gurrelieder, and Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances. As part of its commitment to bringing classical music to audiences where they are listening, the Orchestra was the first to create an online store for purchasing music. To further expand such distribution, the Orchestra formed a new distribution with Independent Online Distribution Alliance (IODA), making its live recordings available on popular digital music services such as iTunes and Amazon, among others.

For more information on The Philadelphia Orchestra, please visit www.philorch.org.