Philadelphia Orchestra Association Appoints Ari Solotoff As Chief of Staff

The Philadelphia Orchestra Association (POA) has appointed Ari Solotoff to the newly-created position of chief of staff and director of planning, it was announced today by Association President and CEO Allison Vulgamore.

Mr. Solotoff, who will start in his new position on May 17, 2010, comes to The Philadelphia Orchestra Association from the Portland (Maine) Symphony Orchestra where he served as executive director since 2006.

As a member of the Association's senior management team, Mr. Solotoff will assist the president and CEO by assuring that the goals of the Association remain appropriately prioritized and implemented. He will be responsible for the central coordination of the executive office, as well as oversight of all items related to institutional planning, the Board of Directors, and stakeholder engagement. While furthering the research agendas that have already begun for the soon-to-be-launched strategic planning process, Mr. Solotoff will oversee the design and advancement of strategic thinking, planning, systems, culture initiatives, and fulfillment of the mission established by the Association.

"I am excited to have Ari Solotoff join our extraordinary executive team in the position of chief of staff and director of planning," said Philadelphia Orchestra Association President and CEO Allison Vulgamore. "This is a position that will propel both the annual operating systems of the Association and its success, as well as underpin the strategic resources and engagement of all of us at the POA and our future. Having Ari in this position will double the capacity of the executive office to achieve our institutional goals. We will work in tandem to accomplish the necessary strategic work both inside the organization and externally in the community, and I look forward to working with him on our shared mission of bringing cross cultural dialogue and innovation to The Philadelphia Orchestra Association."

"I am incredibly honored to join The Philadelphia Orchestra administrative team at this time, a period full of opportunity. With the creation of this position, The Philadelphia Orchestra adds to its great tradition of ‘firsts'. I look forward to advancing the new thinking which has already begun, supporting Allison's goals for the POA, building widespread participation in the upcoming planning process, and helping to stabilize the financial platform, all of which are vitally necessary," said Mr. Solotoff. "I am eager to collaborate with the musicians, staff, Trustees, and audiences who have participated in the stewardship of this cultural asset for the City of Philadelphia, while drawing on the lessons learned from my time at the Portland Symphony where we found success in thinking differently during challenging times."

During his tenure at the Portland Symphony, Maine's largest performing arts organization, Mr. Solotoff guided the organization through a highly successful music director search and launch, returned it to break-even operations, eliminated its debt, and established a new culture of strong fiscal management, artistic vitality, collaboration, and community connection. The Portland Symphony recently received the 2010 Maine Association of Nonprofits Governor's Award for Nonprofit Excellence.

Mr. Solotoff has also served in leadership positions at the Louisville Orchestra and as executive director of the Pensacola Symphony. He is a 2003 graduate of the Orchestra Management Fellowship Program of the League of American Orchestras and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Classical Languages from the University of California at Berkeley. A native of New York and an oboist by training, he began his career as special projects intern at the San Francisco Symphony.

The Philadelphia Orchestra

Founded in 1900, The Philadelphia Orchestra has distinguished itself as one of the leading orchestras in the world through over a century of acclaimed performances, historic international tours, best-selling recordings, and its unprecedented record of innovation in recording technologies and outreach. The Orchestra has maintained unity in artistic leadership with only seven music directors throughout its history: Fritz Scheel (1900-07), Carl Pohlig (1907-12), Leopold Stokowski (1912-41), Eugene Ormandy (1936-80), Riccardo Muti (1980-92), Wolfgang Sawallisch (1993-2003), and Christoph Eschenbach (2003-08).

This rich tradition is carried on by Chief Conductor Charles Dutoit. Mr. Dutoit has a long-standing relationship with the Orchestra, having made his debut with the ensemble in 1980. Highlights of his second season include performances of Berlioz's Te Deum and Symphonie fantastique, part of Mr. Dutoit's four-year focus on the works of that composer, and a celebration of the 100th anniversary of Samuel Barber's birthday. During his tenure, Mr. Dutoit will also showcase the music of the Ballets Russes, continuing in the 2009-10 season with performances of Stravinsky's Petrushka and The Rite of Spring.

The Philadelphia Orchestra annually touches the lives of more than one million music lovers worldwide through its performances, publications, recordings, and broadcasts. Each year the Orchestra presents a subscription season in Philadelphia, education and community partnership programs, regular appearances at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center, and a three-week tour. Its summer schedule includes performances at Philadelphia's Mann Center for the Performing Arts, free Neighborhood Concerts, and residencies at the Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival and the Saratoga Performing Arts Center.

For more information on The Philadelphia Orchestra, please visit www.philorch.org.