Share: 

Delaware Symphony Orchestra appoints Alan Jordan executive director

July 29, 2015

The Board of Directors of the Delaware Symphony Orchestra announced  it has appointed veteran orchestra executive Alan Jordan to serve as its next executive director, beginning in September 2015.

Jordan’s most recent position was as executive director of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, where he served for more than 16 years. He served in similar capacities at the New Hampshire Symphony Orchestra (1992-99) and the Brevard (Fla.) Symphony Orchestra (1987-92). Jordan’s appointment comes after an extensive nationwide search led by symphony orchestra consultant David Hyslop of Minneapolis.

In his announcement, DSO President Charles W. Babcock, said “Our board is delighted to welcome an executive director with the competence, experience and passion of Alan Jordan. With his leadership, we have great hopes and plans for our professional musicians, for our audiences and for the cultural life of the state of Delaware.”

Jordan is thrilled to be joining the DSO team. “The Delaware Symphony Orchestra has such a great reputation and history,” he notes. “I look forward to working with David Amado, the staff, musicians, board and volunteers to fulfill the potential the DSO has for the people of Delaware.”

Jordan graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music with a bachelor’s degree in music as a vocal performance major in 1983. During his years as a student and following graduation, he served as assistant stage manager and later stage manager for the Tanglewood Music Center and as house manager of Jordan Hall and instrument librarian at the New England Conservatory.

From 2001 to 2003, Jordan served on the Board of Directors of the League of American Orchestras, the national leadership service organization of American Orchestras. He currently serves on the league’s Communications Advisory Group and on the New Music For America Steering Committee. Previously, he has served on the league’s Public Value, Collaborative Data Project and BMI Negotiations task forces, the Ford Made in America I and II steering committees, and on the Henry Fogel Consortium Commission steering committee. He is the immediate past chair of the New England Orchestra Consortium, and was previously that organization’s treasurer.

Jordan will move to the Wilmington area from Vermont with his wife, Karen, who is a choral director. Daughter Katie, 24, received her master’s degree from The Juilliard School in May 2014, and is now second horn with the Sarasota Orchestra in Florida. Son Christopher, 19, is entering his sophomore year at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music as a bass trombone performance major.

Jordan’s tenure coincides with the launch of the DSO’s 2015-16 season, titled The Season of the Bells, which includes its Classics Concert Series of five programs and a Chamber Concert Series of four programs, as well as the Explorer Experience concerts for children. The season will be conducted by Maestro David Amado, as he begins his 13th year as music director of the DSO. Leading off the season will be a Sept. 11 memorial concert featuring the Mozart Requiem, in collaboration with Mastersingers of Wilmington.

Additional highlights of the season range from Berlioz to Shostakovich. Soloists include pianist Stewart Goodyear, violinist Bella Hristova, the Brasil Guitar Duo, and DSO principal tuba player Brian Brown. Every Classics Concert of the season will feature the sounds of the Bells of Remembrance, a remarkable collection of refurbished church bells (ranging up to 5,000 pounds) assembled to honor the first victim of the 9-11 attacks and with a special Delaware connection.

Season subscriptions to both the Classics Concert Series and Chamber Concert Series may be purchased by calling The Grand Opera House Box Office at 302-652-5577 or 800-374-7263, or in person at 818 North Market St. in downtown Wilmington. Individual tickets for the Classics and Chamber Concerts will go on sale  at 10 a.m., Monday, Aug. 3, and are available as above or by going to www.ticketsatthegrand.org. Single tickets are $66 each. Student tickets are available to students 21 and under with ID at $10, in person or by phone only. 

For more information, call 302-656-7442 or go to www.delawaresymphony.org.


Subscribe to the CapeGazette.com Daily Newsletter