Press Release

For Immediate Release

Dec. 17, 2009

Contact: Greg Gordon, 432-2010

Mobile Symphony Restructures

Gordon Named Chief Operating Officer

            The Mobile Symphony has announced it is restructuring its administration by splitting the duties of Executive Director to create two new positions - Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Operating Officer (COO).

            Greg Gordon, current Executive Director, will move to the position of COO and will serve as acting CEO while a search is conducted for that position.

            "The Mobile Symphony has grown, and the job is now too much for one person," Celia Mann Baehr, board chairman, said. "Restructuring will create a management team that will ensure that we continue to grow, expand our outreach and remain financially healthy."

            Gordon will continue to work with music director Scott Speck and the orchestra on concert production, artistic administration and budgeting for the orchestra. The CEO will assume responsibility for strategic planning, business operations, marketing and working with the development staff on grants and major funding.

            "Greg has done an excellent job of controlling costs in a very tough economic climate." Baehr said. "He's great with the production end, and the new position allows him to put more of those talents to use."

            Gordon, who is a lifelong musician and former horn player with area orchestras, said the move puts him closer to the orchestra he feels passionately about. "For me, it's an exciting opportunity to spend my time on the amazing product we produce - great music. I'm very proud to work with Scott and an orchestra of the best musicians on the Gulf Coast. Without the constant pull of administrative duties, I can help make our artistic quality even better and expand our outreach into the community."

            Speck also welcomed the news. "Greg and I have been colleagues for the past several years, and I feel that we see eye-to-eye artistically," Speck said. "He has shown great talent for operations, programming and artistic administration. Since this position plays to those strengths, it's a win-win situation, and I'm very excited about it."

            Gordon's close collaborations with Speck on the current season resulted in a last-minute redesign that is helping ease the organization through the recession. "We already had our season set last year when the economy took a sharp downturn." Gordon explained. "Scott and I went back to the drawing board and reprogrammed by looking at concerts that could reduce costs but still elevate the artistic quality and ‘wow' factor our patrons expect. I think we've succeeded."

            Baehr agreed that the season is succeeding despite hard times. "Ticket sales have been great. The holiday concert's Sunday performance was a sellout, even though we were competing with many other holiday events."

            "We did our second run-out concert to Thomasville on Monday to another sold-out house," Gordon said. "I will be looking for more opportunities to present the orchestra in other Southwest Alabama communities. Early returns from our current fund drive have been strong, and we expect many people will make year-end donations to capture tax benefits."

            Baehr said she expects the new structure will enhance the symphony's continued success. "With a new management structure, we'll run a much more efficient and productive organization."

            The symphony expects to name an interim CEO at the beginning of 2010.

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        MSO has been a regional orchestra for the central Gulf Coast since 1996. Scott Speck serves as music director. In addition to offering a full season of classical and pops concerts, the orchestra serves the area with a wide range of educational and outreach programs including student performances, a string academy, a youth orchestra and a community string orchestra for all ages.

www.mobilesymphony.org