League of American Orchestra Announces to Host "Essentials of Orchestra Management" Program

The program provides 10 days of seminar-style teaching for early- and mid-career orchestral and arts professionals

The flagship professional development program run by the League of American Orchestras is set to commence on July 26, 2023. Titled "Essentials of Orchestra Management," the program will see 36 orchestra and arts professionals converge on The Juilliard School's campus for ten days of leadership development.

The program has been running since 2000, and more than 550 early- and mid-career arts professionals have benefited from the knowledge of its faculty.

Teaching is delivered in a seminar style, and covers topics such as artistic planning and artistic leadership; development, finance, and strategic planning; equity, diversity, and inclusion; education, community engagement, and community and youth programs; human resources and organizational culture; leadership and governance; advocacy, marketing, and communications; orchestra operations; and negotiations.

The core faculty include:

• Scott Faulkner (Faculty Director) Principal Bassist, Reno Philharmonic and Reno Chamber Orchestra; Former Executive Director, Reno Chamber Orchestra; Director, League Alumni Network
• Jennifer Barlament, Executive Director, Atlanta Symphony
• Alex Laing, Executive Director, Gateways Music Festival; Principal Clarinetist, The Phoenix Symphony

The League Leadership includes Simon Woods, President and CEO, Caen Thomason-Redus, VP, Inclusion and Learning, and David Styers, Director, Learning and Leadership Programs.

"Creating pathways for future leaders is central to the League's work," said Simon Woods, president and CEO of the League of American Orchestras.

"But Essentials is so much more than just a learning environment — it's a place of highly creative thinking where the leaders of today and the future can tackle together some of the challenges and opportunities orchestras are facing. And when we add in the great faculty and Juilliard's inspiring location, we're guaranteed to get some really thought-provoking conversations."