At its “Viva Verdi!” concert on May 17, the Princeton Symphony Orchestra made a surprise presentation to Melanie Clarke, the orchestra’s executive director, who is stepping down on July 1 after 25 years with the orchestra. PSO Music Director Rossen Milanov and Board President David Tierno gave Clarke flowers and a painting depicting the orchestra onstage at Princeton’s Richardson Auditorium, its home. The painting was commissioned from Philadelphia-based artist Gregory Prestegord. Also announced at the concert was the PSO’s new Melanie Clarke Fund supporting the PSO’s endowment, created with an initial commitment of $200,000 from the orchestra board. Clarke first joined the PSO as a violinist, and subsequently served as the manager of education and director of development before becoming executive director in 2006. A search for her successor is underway.
Posted May 28, 2015
