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& A
GETTING TO KNOW BSO PRESIDENT AND CEO MARK HANSON
BY ROSIE CONSTANTINE AND ALLISON BURR-LIVINGSTONE
U nlike most organizations , orchestras have dual excellence , Mark comes to the BSO with strong values and leadership : the Music Director , to oversee the a point of view on the important role of an orchestra in its orchestra and create the overarching artistic community and how our industry must continue to grow vision ; and , the President and CEO , to lead and adapt for the future . Luckily , he ’ s well equipped to all administrative operations , from business jump right in : having grown up on the East Coast ( he is a planning to branding including serving as both Boston native ), Mark — along with his wife and three sons the chief spokesperson and chief fundraising officer . ( 10 , 13 , and 16 )— returns from the West Coast and also They , of course , are not separate , and both leaders ’ vision joins extended family here in Maryland . He ’ s no stranger must be in alignment to create synergy between the dayto-day operations and the magic on stage ! years from afar and in action at both our Meyerhoff and
to the BSO , having long admired the Orchestra for many
While the search for our next Music Director remains Strathmore homes . ongoing , we ’ re thrilled to welcome Mark Hanson to the We took the time to learn more about his initial thoughts BSO family as our new President and CEO . Already for the BSO and the future of classical music , as well as get well established in our industry as a champion of artistic to know him a little bit more outside of the office ! >>
What excites you about the BSO ? What do you see as our biggest opportunity ? Building on a notable history of innovation , excellence , and community engagement , the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra , along with a dynamic new Music Director , is poised to attract and inspire larger audiences than ever throughout the city and state . I am excited about the BSO ’ s dual mandate — service to Baltimore and the entire state , including Montgomery County — and meeting new and long-time fans of live music as BSO musicians share their talents at the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall , The Music Center at Strathmore , and venues across all Maryland counties over the next three years as part of the Music for Maryland Tour .
Mark Hanson BSO President and CEO
Mike Morgan
You have led Music Director searches at each of your last three orchestras to great success . How do those experiences influence your approach to the BSO ’ s ongoing search ? The selection of a new music director is an exciting and important inflection point for a symphony orchestra . The BSO ’ s search committee has invited many of the country ’ s ( and the world ’ s ) most talented , inspiring , and forward-looking conductors to engage in the process . Guided by a united belief in the BSO ’ s mission , vision , and values , the search committee has identified candidates who have
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