Oscar S. Schafer Named Chairman of the New York Philharmonic's Board of Directors

Oscar S. Schafer was elected Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Philharmonic- Symphony Society of New York, Inc., today at a meeting of the organization's Board of Directors. He will hold the title of Chairman Designate until he assumes the Chairmanship in early 2015 as part of a transition, succeeding Gary W. Parr, who has held the post since September 2009. As Chairman, Mr. Schafer - who has been a member of the Philharmonic's Board of Directors since 2007 - will serve as the Society's chief volunteer officer. Mr. Parr will continue to serve as a member of the Philharmonic's Board.

"The New York Philharmonic represents the best New York has to offer, both to our community and around the world," said Mr. Schafer. "It has been an honor to serve as a member of the Board and to support the marvelous Concerts in the Parks with my wife, and I am enthusiastic about the challenge of serving as the next Chairman of the Board. I look forward to helping this orchestra carry forward, under Alan Gilbert's innovative artistic leadership, its grand tradition of over 172 years into a future that finds new and even better ways of serving music lovers at home and globally."

"It has been a privilege to be the Chairman of the New York Philharmonic and to work with Alan Gilbert and Matthew VanBesien. I am all the more in awe of the exceptionally talented and dedicated musicians of the Philharmonic, and I look forward to continuing to support them as a Board member," said Mr. Parr. "I am pleased to be turning over my responsibilities to an incredibly capable person, Oscar Schafer. I believe it is important to revitalize the leadership of organizations, to keep a steady flow of new ideas. Oscar is both a sophisticated business person and a Philharmonic lover, dedicated to this Orchestra, as evidenced by the support he and his wife Didi have given in presenting the New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Parks since 2007."

President and Executive Director Matthew VanBesien said, "Having worked with Oscar Schafer as a member of our Board and a passionate music lover, I am extremely confident in our future. I look forward to collaborating with him on major projects that will define this next period in the Philharmonic's history. Gary Parr has set a standard as the Chairman of the New York Philharmonic's Board of Directors, and I thank him for his dedication, commitment and vision. Under Gary's leadership, the Philharmonic has achieved numerous successes, including our long-term partnership in Shanghai, the strengthening of our Board, including a material increase in giving, an improved financial discipline, and renewed spirit of cooperation with Lincoln Center, Inc."