NEW TUCSON SYMPHONY EXEC DIRECTOR
posted by James Reel
In case you missed the announcement in the newspaper last week, here's the press release. I'd like to see how they calculate that dubious figure in the last sentence, by the way.
TUCSON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA NAMES ANDREW BIRGENSMITH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Kansas City Symphony General Manager to Assume Post August 1
(Tucson, AZ)—The Tucson Symphony Orchestra has named Andrew Birgensmith as the next Executive Director of the 83-year old orchestra. Mr. Birgensmith comes to the TSO after a decade with the Kansas City Symphony, where he has held the post of General Manager for the past eight seasons. Mr. Birgensmith was chosen after a year-long, nationwide search that yielded 40 candidates. The TSO brought five candidates to Tucson for meetings with Music Director and Conductor, George Hanson, orchestra representatives, board members and senior staff.
“Andrew has had tremendous success as an arts administrator, fundraiser and project developer,” commented Tucson Symphony Society Board of Trustees President Erwin Kratz. “It is a testament to the vitality of the TSO that we are able to attract candidates of Andrew’s caliber, and we are looking forward to working with him to continue building on our recent successes.”
Mr. Birgensmith moved to Kansas City in 1996 to open Station Casino where he served as Entertainment Manager for two years. His time there was spent overseeing the construction of the various performance venues and booking and producing entertainment for the entertainment facility. In 1998 Mr. Birgensmith joined the Union Station/Science City project where first he oversaw the construction of the entertainment district and later managed and created shows for the large format theater, planetarium, and City Stage while also supervising all special events.
In 2001 Mr. Birgensmith began working for the Kansas City Symphony as Associate Director of Marketing and then as Operations Manager. In 2003 Mr. Birgensmith was promoted to General Manager overseeing the day-to-day logistical operation of the business and seeking ways to increase business and revenue through community partnerships. Most recently his primary function was to serve as the principal liaison between the Symphony and the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts to ensure a smooth transition into the new facility opening in September 2011.
Mr. Birgensmith attended Shenandoah University and Conservatory of Music in Winchester, Virginia where he received his bachelor’s degree in Music Education and Trombone Performance. He later attended Florida State University for Arts Administration.
“I can't wait to begin working with the staff, musicians, and board of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra,” said Mr. Birgensmith. “I have gained a lot of leadership experience while working for the Kansas City Symphony and now it is time to share what I learned. Last season the TSO had to make some painful financial adjustments. As a result, the future of the organization is much brighter. I am impressed with the work that has been done. The foundation of the organization is strong and clearly in place. I look forward to the opportunity to continue to build the TSO.”
George Hanson commented, “I am very much looking forward to working with Andrew to enhance and strengthen the TSO’s presence in our community as we fulfill our mission to serve Tucson and southern Arizona communities with performances and education programs of the highest caliber.”
Mr. Birgensmith and his fiancée, Holly Swangstu, plan to live in Tucson. He will assume his post with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra on August 1, 2011.
The Tucson Symphony Orchestra will open its 83rd season on October 14, 2011. It is the oldest symphony orchestra in the Southwest and the oldest continuously performing professional arts organization in Arizona. The concert season extends from October through April with more than 70 orchestra and 260 chamber ensemble performances each year. Each concert season offers Classic, TSO Pops! and MasterWorks Series, Classic, MasterWorks and TSO Pops! Specials, Moveable Musical Feasts and a series of free chamber ensemble performances for families entitled Just for Kids. In 2004, the TSO received the Governor’s Arts Award recognizing its 75 years of significant community impact.
With an annual budget of $3.6 million, the TSO pumps more than $20 million into the Southern Arizona economy each year.
