Andrew Kipe Named Interim Executive Director of the Maryland Symphony Orchestra
HAGERSTOWN, Md. – January 25, 2019 – The Maryland Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Andrew Kipe has been appointed to serve as Interim Executive Director of the Maryland Symphony Orchestra. His service began on January 23.
Andrew is a native of Hagerstown and previously served as the Executive Director of the MSO from June 2006 to December 2010. MSO Board of Directors President, Dr. Hugh Talton, said "we are very fortunate to have such an experienced, proven, and affable professional orchestra administrator to guide us through the interim period and help with our search for a permanent Executive Director. Those of us who have known and worked with Andrew before look forward to his return. We all have a great deal of respect for him."
Andrew currently serves as Director of Concert and Ensemble Operations at the Peabody Institute, the nations' oldest music conservatory and a division of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, where he oversees nearly 1,000 performances each year. After Andrew completed his 4 1/2-year tenure as the Executive Director of the MSO, he went to the Phoenix Orchestra where he was the general manager responsible for all aspects of the operations, education, and artistic planning. From Phoenix he was hired by the Louisville Symphony during the recession to bring them out of bankruptcy and a prolonged labor dispute which resulted in the cancellation of an entire season. Not only was Andrew successful in bringing the orchestra back, but also in doubling ticket sales within four years and significantly increasing community and corporate support. For his success in Louisville, he gained national and international recognition in numerous publications including the New York Times and Wall Street Journal. The Governor of Kentucky also named him a full-fledged Kentucky Colonel.
In addition to Andrew's full-time position with The Peabody Institute, he is a consultant for professional orchestras, and through this enterprise the MSO was fortunate enough to employ him as our Interim Executive Director. Many of the board members and staff know Andrew and have followed his career with a great sense of pride and support at what he has accomplished in the world of professional orchestras.
The search for a new, permanent Executive Director of the MSO is currently underway. The Board of Directors has formed a search committee to begin work on finding a permanent replacement. This process is likely to take as long as six months. In the meantime, this is expected to be a seamless transition. Fortunately, the MSO has an excellent staff, a committed board, a good financial position, and most of all, a very supportive community. The 2018-19 season is well underway and will continue uninterrupted.
ABOUT MARYLAND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
The Maryland Symphony Orchestra’s 2018-19 season of BEGINNINGS features 17 concerts and music from over 40 composers and songwriters in performance at the historic Maryland Theatre in downtown Hagerstown, MD, which will be open for MSO concerts and other events during its heralded expansion project.
Founded in 1982, Maryland Symphony Orchestra is celebrating its 37th season as the area’s premier professional orchestra. Under the musical direction of Maestra Elizabeth Schulze, the Maryland Symphony Orchestra is dedicated to providing musical performances that educate and entertain, while enhancing the cultural environment of Western Maryland and the surrounding region. Learn more: www.marylandsymphony.org
###