Monday, July 21, 2008

SA Symphony Announces New President

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS (July 21, 2008) – The San Antonio Symphony announced today that Long Beach Symphony Executive Director Jack Fishman will assume the position of President/CEO for the organization before the new season begins in October 2008. Current Symphony President David Green has resigned, saying he had accomplished his goal of getting the Symphony on a strong economic footing and is now looking at other opportunities.

“Jack has a great track record of successful symphony management, and we are excited about his leadership as we move the Symphony into the next phase of its growth,” Symphony Board Chair Debbie Montford said, “I want to thank David for the thoughtful and strategic way he has gone about fulfilling his responsibilities to the symphony in the past and especially his proactive actions in locating an excellent person as his replacement,”

Fishman, who was confirmed as Green’s replacement with a unanimous vote of the entire symphony board at a special meeting held July 18th, has served as Executive Director of the Long Beach Symphony since 2000 and has an extensive background in music and symphony management. He was first identified during the national search for a CEO in 2005, and has since renewed his interest in San Antonio.
"I'm deeply honored to be chosen to be part of the San Antonio Symphony family. Working to ensure this community treasure continues to provide artistically excellent music and is well managed with fiscal responsibility are tasks I am eager to be engaged in,” Fishman said. “I'm looking forward to partnering with the community, Symphony Board, volunteers, musicians and staff to bring great symphonic music to as many San Antonio adults and children as possible."

Fishman began his career as a professional musician as Principal Bass with the Puerto Rico Symphony during the 1981-82 season. He then performed with the Knoxville Symphony and the Florida Symphony Orchestra. After a musician and management stint with the Bedford Springs Festival in Florida, Fishman began considering a career in Symphony management and became the Orchestra Manager of the Jacksonville Symphony in 1990. After serving as Executive Director of the Amarillo Symphony Orchestra, where he grew the annual budget for five years, Fishman was recruited by and accepted the position of Executive Director of the Long Beach Symphony Orchestra in 2000. During his time in Long Beach, he has successfully recruited a music director, led an outreach program aimed at attracting more Hispanics to the Symphony, and reduced annual operating deficits.

Interview with Jack Fishman.

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