Australia’s Melbourne Symphony Orchestra has announced the appointment of Matthew VanBesien as managing director, effective February 2010. VanBesien will leave his current position at the Houston Symphony on December 31, 2009; he has served as that orchestra’s executive director/CEO since 2005, after two years as general manager. In 2001-02, VanBesien was a member of the League of American Orchestras’ Orchestra Management Fellowship Program, where he worked with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, the Aspen Music Festival, the Phoenix Symphony, and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. “We are extremely appreciative of the outstanding job Matthew has done for our orchestra and our city,” said Houston Symphony Society President Bobby Tudor. “Under his guidance, the Houston Symphony has made great strides across the board—ticket sales, fundraising, community outreach, and creative programming…. The silver lining is that Matthew has committed to work with us through the end of this calendar year and will continue to provide leadership and assistance as we plan for his successor.”
Posted August 11, 2009
Photo of Matthew VanBesien by Jeff Fitlow
