Author: Robert Sandla

Robert Sandla has been the editor in chief of Symphony since 2007. He was previously editor in chief of Stagebill, in the communications departments of the New York Philharmonic and Lincoln Center, and an editorial consultant for New York City Ballet and other performing-arts groups.

James Santilli Appointed Senior Vice President & Chief Revenue and Experience Officer at Pittsburgh Symphony

Posted on April 21, 2025 by - News Briefs

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra has appointed James Santilli as Senior Vice President and Chief Revenue & Experience Officer (CREO). Santilli, formerly chief marketing officer for the Pittsburgh Penguins hockey team, joined the orchestra on April 14. Overseeing Marketing & Communications, Guest Experiences, Heinz Hall Presents, and Corporate Support teams, James will lead customer service, user experience, events, and brand experience, as well as audience engagement and retention strategies. As chief marketing officer for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Santilli managed the organization’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the sale of the team to the Fenway Sports Group, and the exit of AT&T Sports Network from the regional sports network business. He reoriented the organization from a brand-centric approach to a revenue-centric culture, identifying key growth areas and revenue streams. Prior to being CMO for the Penguins, he was the team’s vice president and senior vice president of marketing, and led all fan-development departments, including Community Relations, Advertising, Digital, Game Entertainment, Youth Hockey, Video Production, and Creative Services, and doubled their regional fan base from 565,000 to 1,300,000. Santilli hold a BSBA and MBA from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA.

Houston Symphony Executive Director and CEO John Mangum to Head Lyric Opera of Chicago

Posted on August 1, 2024 by - Who's In

In Wednesday’s (7/31) Chicago Sun-Times, Kyle MacMillan writes, “John Mangum, a seasoned arts administrator who has headed the Houston Symphony Orchestra since 2018, has been named general director, president and chief executive officer of Lyric Opera of Chicago, the organization announced Wednesday. He is set to begin his duties this fall…. The 49-year-old California native takes over for Anthony Freud, who stepped down in June after 13 years in the position…. Mangum has never previously held a position with an opera company. Most of his experience has come with stints for five orchestras, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic and currently the Houston Symphony, with opera being part of the offerings … He also served as president and artistic director of the Philharmonic Society of Orange County from 2014-2018…. He first became an opera fan as teenager in Danville, Calif. … He wrote his doctoral dissertation in musicology on the role and popularity of Italian opera in Berlin in the second half of the 18th century…. As executive director and CEO at the Houston Symphony, Mangum oversaw a 50-percent growth in its endowment and secured $60 million in capital gifts for the first major renovation of Jones Hall, the orchestra’s home.”