The Score | Mangum to Head Houston Symphony

John Mangum has been appointed executive director and chief executive officer of the Houston Symphony, effective April 16. He succeeds Mark C. Hanson, who stepped down in July 2017 to lead the San Francisco Symphony. Mangum has held several senior artistic-planning roles at American orchestras. Most recently, he served as president and artistic director of California’s Philharmonic Society of Orange County, overseeing budgeting and financial management, marketing and audience development, and fundraising. From 2011 to 2014, Mangum was director of artistic planning with the San Francisco Symphony, and served in a similar capacity at the New York Philharmonic from 2009 to 2011. Mangum holds a Ph.D. in history with a concentration in musicology, in addition to master’s and bachelor’s degrees in history, all from the University of California, Los Angeles. Amanda Dinitz, the Houston Symphony’s interim executive director since July, will continue to serve in her previous role as chief of strategic initiatives.