Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra To Appoint New Director Of Orchestra And Hall Operations

Alison Bolton has joined the staff of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra as Director of Orchestra and Hall Operations.

Bolton grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida. She holds bachelor's and master's degrees in viola performance from The University of North Carolina School of the Arts and The University of Akron, respectively, and has more than ten years of arts management experience.

She began her career in artistic administration at the Music Academy of the West as Box Office Manager. Since then, she has held various positions within the operations and artistic departments for musical organizations, including Camerata Pacifica, Tuscon Symphony Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Albany Symphony and the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. At the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, where she served as Manager of Audience Engagement, Festivals and Artistic Projects, she created a program called "Explore & Engage" which worked to deepen the connection between the patrons and the orchestra through elements of aesthetic education. At the Albany Symphony, where Bolton was General Manager, she worked with Music Director David Alan Miller to create several multiyear composer residencies which not only resulted in Grammy-winning recordings, but also creatEd Strong partnerships within the community. She has worked with composers such as John Adams, Aaron Kernis, John Corigliano, Christopher Rouse, Joan Tower and Michael Daugherty.

As Director of Orchestra and Hall Operations, Bolton is responsible for carrying out the artistic visions of Music Director JoAnn Falletta, Principal Pops Conductor John Morris Russell, and Executive Director Daniel Hart. She will ensure that all artistic and operational aspects of this vision run efficiently, smoothly and in a fiscally responsible manner.

"Alison's musical knowledge and her varied orchestral management experience make her a perfect fit for the BPO at this time. As the BPO looks to the next phase of its strategic plan, we are counting on Alison to play a major role in our ongoing success," said BPO Executive Director Daniel Hart.

"I am honored to be here working with the extremely talented administrative team at the BPO and Kleinhans Music Hall," Bolton said. "Even more, I feel privileged to be able to come to work every day and hear and work with the fantastic BPO musicians. This orchestra goes beyond performing great concerts. The BPO musicians play at an extremely high level and also are deeply dedicated to education and community outreach. Seeing the impact that this combination has on the Buffalo community is an inspiration, and I am excited to be a part of the future of this special organization. I look forward to working with JoAnn Falletta, John Morris Russell, Stefan Sanders and Daniel Hart to create rich, diverse, engaging programming at the highest level with the deepest impact," said Bolton.

As Buffalo's cultural ambassador, the Grammy Award-winning Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra under the leadership of music director JoAnn Falletta presents more than 100 concerts each year. Since 1940, the orchestra's home has been Kleinhans Music Hall, a National Historic Landmark with a reputation as one of the finest concert halls in the United States. During the tenure of JoAnn Falletta, the BPO has rekindled its history of radio broadcasts and recordings, including the release of 37 new recordings on the Naxos and Beau Fleuve labels. For more information about the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, visit www.bpo.org.