Fred Bronstein Leaves Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Fred Bronstein told his staff this morning that he’s leaving the DSO for a gig in St. Louis, a city with a miserable football team and no basketball team. The press release is expected soon out of St. Louis.

Update: As promised, the release is after the jump.

SAINT LOUIS SYMPHONY NAMES DR. FRED BRONSTEIN
AS PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Bronstein Comes From Role as President and CEO of Dallas Symphony Orchestra; Hailed as a Dynamic, Decisive and Effective Leader

ST. LOUIS, Dec. 14, 2007 – The Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO) has struck another resounding chord in its continuous efforts to strengthen the organization, today naming Dr. Fred Bronstein as President and Executive Director. Dr. Bronstein currently serves in a similar position at the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, where he has served a dynamic five-year tenure.

“We hit a very high note today with the appointment of Fred Bronstein,” said Cynthia J. Brinkley, SLSO Chairman of the Board of Trustees. “Fred is just the right leader, in every area, to guide our direction and behavior as we look to ascend to the highest rung. He has the strategic planning skills to bring everything into alignment, combining a true appreciation for fiscal responsibility, artistic excellence and community engagement. And, as a bonus, he’s a really bright, affable, high-energy guy. Fred truly will be a great asset to our orchestra and to the community.”

Dr. Bronstein assumes the SLSO leadership reins from Randy Adams, whose contributions from August 2001 to June 2007 were “monumental” according to Brinkley.

“The Saint Louis Symphony is a great orchestra with a very special history,” Bronstein said. “It holds a very distinguished place in the music world today. Having come through some significant challenges, it is truly poised for a new beginning, and I’m thrilled to have an opportunity to be a part of that future.

“There is another special connection for me, as well,” Bronstein added. “My first exposure upon coming into this industry, 12 years ago, was as a fellow with the League of American Orchestras. And my first assignment was in St. Louis.  From that moment, I knew that I wanted to work with orchestras. So this is, in a sense, very personal to me, as I’m returning to the place where I started my orchestral career.”

Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra Music Director David Robertson is among those giving a hearty endorsement to Dr. Bronstein. “I’m delighted with the appointment of Fred Bronstein whom I’ve known for a number of years as a very dynamic, thoughtful, and creative individual,” Robertson said. “I look forward to working with him to let the wonder of the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra resound with an ever-widening group of people.”

Dr. Bronstein’s own musical training and ability as a pianist resonated well with bassoonist Brad Buckley, who served on the search committee and is head of the SLSO Musicians’ Council. “Dr. Bronstein really has the perfect blend for this role,” said Buckley. “He is an exemplary musician and a talented administrator. People will appreciate the depth that he brings across the board.”

In Dallas, Dr. Bronstein arrived as President and Chief Executive Officer in July 2002 as the orchestra faced a serious economic challenge. He has been praised for taking immediate and effective action to ensure fiscal stability, artistic enhancements and long-term prosperity for the DSO. Coming in on the heels of an $850,000 deficit in 2002, the DSO came within 0.7 percent of budget in 2003, and then achieved four consecutive years of balanced budgets under his watch. At the same time, the endowment grew 70 percent, from $70 million in 2002 to $120 million in 2007, and the annual operating funds increased 30 percent to a record $9.3 million over five years.

Under Dr. Bronstein’s leadership, the Dallas Symphony also initiated a series of bold new community collaborations with important Dallas cultural organizations, as well as audience development initiatives, and the DSO’s strong commitment to community engagement and diversity resulted in the first-ever Celebration of Diversity award and the Greater Dallas Chamber’s International Business Achievement Award, making it the first time that an arts organization has received the prestigious honor.

His tenure in Dallas also included negotiation and signing of a breakthrough five-year collective bargaining agreement with the Dallas Symphony musicians through August 2009. He also led the planning of a 10-year strategic vision, A Bold Plan for Greatness, to move the Dallas Symphony to the highest tier of American orchestras, and most recently, he oversaw the process to identify and recruit the next music director of the Dallas Symphony, resulting in the selection of music director designate Jaap van Zweden.

Before his role in Dallas, Dr. Bronstein served as President and CEO for the Omaha (Neb.) Symphony from November 1998 to May 2002. He also served as Executive Director of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago from 1996 to 1998.  Previously, Dr. Bronstein was a fellow with the League of American Orchestras from 1995 to 1996, working in all facets of orchestra management at the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the Oregon Symphony.