Peggie Schwarz Joins CSO as Artistic Administrator
May 6- Martha Gilmer, Vice President for Artistic Planning of the Chicago
Symphony Orchestra, announced today the appointment of Peggie Schwarz as
Artistic Administrator, effective July 1. Ms. Schwarz joins the Orchestra
from Portland, Oregon where she has been Orchestra Manager and Artistic
Administrator of the Oregon Symphony for the past 10 years. She has worked
closely with Music Director James DePreist in planning programs and has
developed a number of new initiatives in programming both with the Oregon
Symphony and with outside presentations.
Ms. Gilmer, who heads the Artistic Department of the CSO and is responsible
for the overall artistic planning for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and
its related activities, said, "I know Peggie will be a tremendous addition
to our staff. I have come to know her and respect not only her musical knowledge,
but also her sense of commitment and her desire to work together as a team
to achieve the highest possible results."
As CSO Artistic Administrator, Ms. Schwarz will be responsible for coordinating
and overseeing artistic production, scheduling, contracting, and fee negotiations.
She will be an integral member of the organization's artistic leadership,
which includes Music Director Daniel Barenboim, CSO President Henry Fogel,
and Ms. Gilmer, and work closely with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and
the Chicago Symphony Chorus.
Noting her new role with the CSO, Ms. Schwarz stated, "I am extremely
excited to be joining this truly great ensemble. I have always looked upon
the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as one of the leaders among American orchestras,
and I am proud to be able to take part in the remarkable direction it is
going."
While at the Oregon Symphony, Ms. Schwarz was instrumental in that orchestra's
growth in the past decade. She helped develop an ongoing program of special
concerts; a regional touring program, which received a record $750,000 challenge
grant from the NEA; and a summer park concert series that included educational,
community, and youth activities sponsored by the city of Portland.
Contact Lawrence Maushard 6 May 1996
(3 12) 294-3092
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