Welcome Gerard Gibbs!

The Akron Symphony has hired Gerard Gibbs as the new Director of Artistic Planning. Mr. Gibbs brings with him a broad background in music management in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Most recently he was in London working with the renowned Bach conductor and scholar, Sir John Eliot Gardiner and his Monteverdi Choir and Orchestra. There he led the Monteverdi Trust as Development Manager. Read more

News Release: Gerard Gibbs Hired

GERARD GIBBS HIRED AS NEW DIRECTOR OF ARTISTIC PLANNING FOR AKRON SYMPHONY

AKRON—The Akron Symphony has hired Gerard Gibbs as the new Director of Artistic Planning. Mr. Gibbs brings with him a broad background in music management in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Most recently he was in London working with the renowned Bach conductor and scholar, Sir John Eliot Gardiner and his Monteverdi Choir and Orchestra. There he led the Monteverdi Trust as Development Manager. Read more

Wilkins Extends Contract To 2015

In a statement released earlier today by Akron Symphony Executive Director Phil Walz, it was announced that Maestro Christopher Wilkins will remain as Music Director of the Akron Symphony through June 2015.

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On behalf of President Ted Good and Executive Vice President Renee Pipitone, I am announcing that this afternoon President Ted Good and Music Director Christopher Wilkins signed a new three (3) year contract that will run from July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2015. President Good said: “I am thrilled to announce Maestro Wilkins new contract to lead the Akron Symphony Orchestra through our upcoming 60th Anniversary Season and beyond.”

Where Maestro Wilkins current contract is set to expire at the end of the Akron Symphony Orchestra’s 60th Anniversary Season on June 30, 2012, this contract will extend his tenure to a total of nine years in 2015.

Phil Walz
Executive Director
Greater Akron Musical Association
Akron Symphony
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ABJ Talks Akron Symphony’s 60th!

The Akron Beacon Journal’s Kerry Clawson talks to Maestro Christopher Wilkins about the ASO’s 60th Anniversary season in 2011-12.

Music director Christopher Wilkins said the season is about collaboration and highlighting musicians of all ages, types and backgrounds.

“We wanted to continue the energy of some of our community collaborations,” such as last season’s groundbreaking opera performance Porgy and Bess, he said.

“What characterizes the 60th anniversary in particular is a desire to showcase talent of all kinds throughout Akron, some of it an acknowledgment of our own legacy.”

Read the full article here.

Podcast: Symphony Stories – Ed Metzger

The first in our new series of “Symphony Stories” podcasts featuring interviews with key figures in the 60 year history of the Akron Symphony. Here we talk with Akron Symphony Board President from 1995-2000, Ed Metzger. Listen as Ed talks about hiring former ASO Executive Director Connie Linzler, how the Symphony came together after the sudden passing of Maestro Alan Balter, and how his two year term turned into five years as President of the Board.

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Listen Now:

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Seeking Marketing and Public Relations Director

Job Title: DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
Organization: GREATER AKRON MUSICAL ASSOCIATION, INC.
Affiliated Orchestra: AKRON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Job Type: FULL-TIME, PAID

Duties and Responsibilities:
Greater Akron Musical Association/Akron Symphony Orchestra’s (ASO) Director of Marketing and Public Relations develops and implements programs that help the orchestra achieve its attendance and ticket sales goals, while also promoting its image and visibility. As such, this position is responsible for season subscription and renewal campaigns, advertising and special promotions, telemarketing/direct mail, and merchandising. The position calls for extensive marketing experience and familiarity with trends and strategies specific to the performing arts, direct sales and/or customer service, and an appreciation and enthusiasm for classical music.

Duties:
• Set and maintain consistent brand image of the Akron Symphony Orchestra, Chorus, Gospel Choir, Guild, and Youth Symphony through the development, production, and distribution of all internal and external communications and promotional materials.
• Set and implement all individual and series concert/event advertising, including, but not limited to: newspaper, television, radio, billboard, web, and direct mail. Oversee production and placement of same.
• Schedule, write, publish, and distribute all GAMA-related news releases in timely manner to ensure maximum impact and effect. Develop and maintain relationships with key media outlets and contacts.
• Arrange for and facilitate Public Relations opportunities for GAMA artistic and administrative staff.
• Negotiate and administer Media Partnerships for all applicable concerts and events. Work with partners in developing mutually beneficial promotional opportunities.
• Write and publish dynamic content for Symphony website, including, but not limited to: audio podcasts (hosting and producing), videos, blog postings, etc.
• Maintain presence on key social media platforms, including Facebook, InstantEncore, YouTube, AmericanTowns, and others.
• Oversee development and secure receipt of all editorial content for Program Book to meet production schedules.
• Set season ticket renewal strategies and work with ticket office manager to monitor results with respect to sales goals and projections.
• Develop, schedule, and implement multi-media season ticket acquisition campaign, including display advertising, direct mail, telemarketing, and management of volunteer/guerilla efforts to ensure maximum results. Monitor sales in accordance to strategic objectives, sales goals, and projections.
• Oversee creation, design, production, and distribution of annual season brochure.
• Develop, schedule, implement, and monitor multi-media sales campaigns for all GAMA-related concerts and events, including writing and distribution of media releases, all display, print, broadcast, electronic, and street/guerilla advertising.
• Work within and provide guidance/expertise to complex network of artistic and office staff, board of trustees, marketing committee, orchestra musicians (professional and youth), volunteer choristers, etc.
• Coordinate and supervise Marketing internship program
• Cultivate and curate photo and video archives
• Monitor the latest developments in social media tools, trends, and applications and appropriately apply that knowledge

Minimum Requirements:
Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Public Relations, or related field. Minimum of (5) years of comparable professional experience. Enthusiasm for working in the orchestra industry in northeast Ohio also desired.

Compensation Range:
$36,000 – $43,000

Benefits Offered:
Summa Health Plan, pension contribution, life insurance, vacation.

Org/Orchestra description:
For nearly 60 years, the Akron Symphony Orchestra has been a driving musical force throughout the Greater Akron area. Widely recognized for musical excellence and performance versatility, it is committed to meeting the needs of its community.

The Akron Symphony Orchestra began in 1949 when Mabel Lamborn Graham received $500 as “seed money” from the publisher of the Akron Beacon Journal with the instruction to begin raising money for a professional, union orchestra. After three years of intense fundraising, spearheaded by Mrs. Graham and other dedicated volunteers, the Akron Symphony’s Classic Series was established in the organization’s first season (1952-1953) to provide concerts performed by professional musicians of the highest caliber. Guest conductors and soloists of regional and national stature have been an integral part of the Classic Series since its onset, and remain a high priority for the Symphony.

The Akron Symphony Orchestra is operated by the Greater Akron Musical Association (GAMA). GAMA is committed to providing quality symphonic and choral music, through performances and educational programs, to the largest number of people possible in the greater Akron area. This mission is realized by operating the Akron Symphony Orchestra, Akron Youth Orchestras, Akron Symphony Chorus, Gospel Meets Symphony Chorus, and numerous special outreach and educational programs.

Application Deadline: July 25, 2011 @ 5:00 PM EST
Apply to Name: Marketing Director Search
Apply to e-mail: bjustice@akronsymphony.org

Application Procedure:
Send cover letter with resume, three references, and contact information via e-mail only. No phone calls, please. Initial interviews with qualified candidates will occur on a rolling basis prior to the application closing date.

Telephone: # 330.535.8131
FAX: # 330.535.7302
Date Posted: 7/11/2011

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Season Tickets On Sale Now! Save 50%

Series Tickets for the Akron Symphony’s 60th Anniversary Season are available NOW at the incredible savings of 50% off! Read more

ASO’s 60th Season Announced!

The Akron Symphony will celebrates 60 years with its 2011-2012 season beginning September 17, 2011 at The University of Akron’s E.J. Thomas Hall.

News Release: 60th Anniversary Season, 2011-2012

TITANIC AT THE CIVIC, ZANDER CONDUCTS BEETHOVEN, AND A COLLABORATION WITH AKRON ART MUSEUM HIGHLIGHT AKRON SYMPHONY’S 60TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON

“Wicked” stars Julie Murney and Stephanie J. Block, soprano Dina Kuznetzova, and young phenoms George Li and Chad Hoopes announced for 2011-2012

Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, Tchaikovsky’s “Romeo and Juliet,” Brahms’ Symphony No. 4, Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 6, and Dvorak’s “New World Symphony” among repertoire highlights

AKRON, OH—A staged production of the Tony Award-winning musical TITANIC, the return of Maestro Benjamin Zander for an evening of Beethoven and Brahms, and the World Premiere of Roger Zahab’s Akron Chronogram are just three highlights of the Akron Symphony Orchestra’s 60th Anniversary season. Read more

My Symphony is now Online!

Now you can read My Symphony online. This issue features an interview with guest conductor, Ben Zander and a tribute to our 60th anniversary.