FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 18, 2009
 

CONTACT:
Carole Ringer 309-826-0288  
PHOTO ATTACHED                                                                                          
 

Illinois Symphony Announces new CEO
Trevor Orthmann begins as Executive Director on October 1
 

The Illinois Symphony Orchestra today announced the selection of its new Executive Director, Trevor Orthmann, to head the 17-year old organization that produces concerts in Springfield and Bloomington.  His appointment is the culmination of a nationwide search that began in April, and he begins his new duties on October 1.

Carole Ringer, Board President, said of the appointment, “We are very pleased to have attracted candidates of such high caliber during our search.  We appreciate the participation of both boards of advisors and several of our musicians in the process that included many hours of interviews.  With the appointment of Mr. Orthmann, we feel confident and fortunate to have an experienced director with his qualifications to lead our team.”

Mr. Orthmann comes to Illinois after running Symphony in C based in Camden, New Jersey, for eight seasons and serving in leadership roles in its administration for the past thirteen years.  He previously worked in marketing for the Baltimore Opera and as a teacher in Wausau, Wisconsin. Originally from Wisconsin, he earned his undergraduate degree at Southern Methodist University in violin performance and his masters in arts management at Carnegie Mellon University.

While at Symphony in C, Mr. Orthmann led several strategic planning processes, which culminated in the renaming of the organization, formerly The Haddonfield Symphony, and its move to Camden where it became a cornerstone in that city’s revitalization. He was also responsible for increasing earned revenues by 30% and contributed income by 15%, overseeing the orchestra’s first commercial recording project and expanding the orchestra’s educational outreach programming.  During his tenure, the symphony was recognized nationally, receiving the MetLife Award for Community Engagement from The League of American Orchestras.

When asked about his new position, Mr. Orthmann replied, “I am looking forward to working with all of the dedicated people I met from Bloomington-Normal and Springfield to make the Illinois Symphony Orchestra an integral part of the communities and to expand the orchestra’s reach to other communities in Central Illinois through concerts and educational programming.  During this economic downturn where many orchestras are facing challenging times, the Illinois Symphony is poised for growth through the dedication and commitment of its board, music director, musicians and staff.  We will work together to make the Illinois Symphony a leader in the cultural, economic, and educational fabric of Central Illinois.”

An avid athlete, Mr. Orthmann has been a member on the USA Triathlon Duathlon Age Group Team representing the United States at numerous World Championships over the last nine years.  He has competed in cross country ski races in Sweden, Switzerland and Germany and recently returned from racing in L’Etape du Tour, competing with 9,500 bicyclists from throughout the world over a stage of the Tour de France.  He will move to Illinois with his wife, Elizabeth, a medical editor and writer, and their four pets: two cats, a dog and a rabbit.

The Illinois Symphony, under the direction of music director and conductor Karen Lynne Deal, is a non-profit, professional orchestra serving the communities of Bloomington-Normal and Springfield, Illinois. They perform 25 concerts each year including Masterworks, Pops, Chamber, Family, and Pops in the Park series, and they perform for other statewide events such as the State Fair by special invitation.  In addition, they provide education concerts and in-school programs for students K-12, as well as educational talks and learning experiences for music lovers of all ages. The new season begins on September 25 in Bloomington and September 26 in Springfield.
                                                                 

BIO – TREVOR ORTHMANN

Newly named as Executive Director of the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, Trevor Orthmann is currently president of Symphony in C (formerly The Haddonfield Symphony), one of three professional training orchestras in the United States that prepares musicians for careers as professional orchestral musicians through live performance, educational outreach programs and professional development seminars. Orthmann leads the administrative operations of the Symphony to provide an environment where artistic and educational excellence can flourish.

During his eight-year tenure as president, Orthmann has successfully moved the Symphony to Camden, New Jersey and guided the organization through a major re-naming and re-branding campaign.  Symphony in C has been designated a Major Arts Institution by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and was bestowed Citations of Excellence for organizational management and arts education.  In 2004, the Symphony was awarded the national MetLife Award for Excellence in Community Engagement by the League of American Orchestras.

Orthmann is responsible for the Symphony’s debut performances in Philadelphia, PA, in Verizon Hall and Perelman Theater at The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts; for the Symphony’s first broadcasts on WRTI, WHYY and WQXR public radio stations; and for the Symphony’s first commercial recording on Bridge Records featuring the works of Symphony in C’s Composer in Residence, Daniel Dorff.

Orthmann began his career with Symphony in C in 1996 as Personnel and Administrative Manager, was promoted to General Manager in 2000 and was appointed President in July 2001.  He previously served as Marketing Manager for the Baltimore Opera Company.

He serves on the boards of ArtPride New Jersey, South Jersey Cultural Alliance and LEAP Academy Charter School in Camden.  He also serves on the Rowan University College of Fine and Performing Arts Advisory Board.  He has been a panelist for the League of American Orchestra’s Essentials of Orchestra Management Seminar.
Orthmann is a graduate with Highest Distinction of Carnegie Mellon University’s Master of Arts Management program and a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Southern Methodist University with a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance.  He is a 2002 graduate of the Leadership New Jersey program.

Orthmann actively competes throughout the world in duathlon (run-bike-run) and was a member of the USA Triathlon Duathlon Team representing the United States in the 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2007 World Championships.  In the 2004 and 2005 season, he received All-American honors from USA Triathlon in duathlon.  He is a member of the Du2R Multisport Team and serves as Vice President of the South Jersey Athletic Club.  His other athletic endeavors include triathlon, bicycle racing, cross country and downhill ski racing, dog sledding, running, snowshoeing and golf.
He was born and raised in Wausau, WI.