Richard Brueckner Named New Board Chairman of Orpheus Chamber Orchestra

Orpheus Chamber Orchestra announces that Richard F. Brueckner has been elected as Chairman of its 27-member Board of Trustees, succeeding Marc O. Mayer. Mr. Brueckner, who served as Finance Chair and Treasurer prior to assuming his new role, has been a board member since December 2012. With a background in finance, corporate project management, and marketing, he is the Chief of Staff at BNY Mellon, which is the corporate brand of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation, and was the CEO of Pershing LLC until 2011. He is a member of BNY Mellon's Executive Committee and the Board at ConvergEx, and has chaired or served on various executive boards and committees including those at Credit Suisse First Boston (CSFB), Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA), and Muhlenberg College, his alma mater.

Mr. Brueckner says, "This season is off to an auspicious start both musically and financially, with rave reviews of Orpheus' two concerts at Carnegie Hall and the announcement of a major grant from the Mellon Foundation. Encouraging this type of ongoing support and engagement with both familiar and newly interested parties will help keep Orpheus on a successful path to the future. I extend my thanks to Marc Mayer for his dedicated leadership of Orpheus, which has been an immense benefit to the organization. His contributions improved every aspect of Orpheus and I look forward to continuing his good work in collaboration with Krishna Thiagarajan, the rest of the Board, the Artistic Directors, all of the musicians, and the Orpheus staff."

Executive Director Krishna Thiagarajan says, "Orpheus have achieved positive growth over the past two years, with increases in earned income, broader audiences, and sold-out concerts on multiple continents. Marc Mayer's strong guidance has been crucial to these successes and Orpheus is on the path of continuing these positive trends under Richard Brueckner's leadership. We have already seen the effects of Richard's knowledgeable insight as our Finance Chair and Treasurer and he brings years of experience to his new role. I am certain that Richard's strength will ensure success, particularly in our Next Generation Orpheus initiative, and I look forward to a great working relationship."

Mr. Mayer, board chairman since 2011, joined the board in 2005 and remains a trustee and member of the Executive Committee. He says, "It has been my honor and privilege to have served Orpheus as Board Chair for more than three years. During that time I have seen the Orpheus deliver exceptional artistic performances and strong financial results in an environment that is certainly challenging. It all comes back to that big idea that all the people of Orpheus work together-the musicians, the musician leadership, the staff, and the board. We listen to each other, we are respectful, not hostile, when we disagree, and we solve our collective problems, collectively. And then, we let the musicians do what they do so brilliantly. We let them bring light and joy into our lives with their special brand of musicianship. I am confident Richard will carry on these Orpheus traditions with great commitment and integrity."

Other Orpheus board officers who have been elected are Thomas H. Bishop and Kim Bleimann as Vice Chairmen and Yvonne Marsh as Finance Chair. Paula J. Mueller continues in her role as Secretary.