BARRY GOLDBERG, executive director of the New York Youth Symphony for the past 28 years, has announced plans to retire August 31 at the close of the 2010-11 season. Since joining the organization in April 1983 as its sole manager Goldberg has greatly widened the operations of this tuition-free program for musicians ranging in age from 12 to 22, and has overseen an expansion of its budget from $75,000 to $1 million. During his tenure the NYYS has grown from a single ensemble of approximately 85 musicians to an organization encompassing an orchestra of 115-125 musicians; a First Music series of commissioned premieres that has garnered numerous awards for adventurous programming from ASCAP; and programs in apprentice conducting, chamber music, jazz, and composition. There are currently 225 musicians participating in NYYS programs, presenting more than 20 concerts annually for an audience of 10,000. A native of Memphis, Goldberg began his arts management career with the American Council for the Arts, the Institute for Architecture and Urban Studies, and with the New York State Council on the Arts as assistant to its late chairman, Kitty Carlisle Hart. The NYYS has formed a search committee to identify Goldberg’s successor.
Posted March 15, 2011
