Kansas City Symphony:
Grant to support new Associate Conductor;
Balanced Budget;
Music Director Search Committee Chair;
New staff appointment


The Kansas City Symphony has been named as the first recipient of a special award from the Geraldine C. and Emory M. Ford Foundation aimed at assisting the professional development of gifted, young conductors. This award of $15,000 per year for the next two years will serve to support Steven Smith's appointment as the Kansas City Symphony's new Associate Conductor.

The Kansas City Symphony is pleased to report its success in finishing the 1995-96 season with a balanced budget. This continues the orchestra's proud tradition of operating virtually deficit free since its inception in 1982.

Bob Kipp, a senior executive at Hallmark and member of the Kansas City Symphony's Board of Trustees, has been appointed Chair of the Music Director Search Committee. In spring, 1995 Bob served as Chair of the Executive Director Search Committee.

Barbara McCluney Tate has been engaged to serve as the Kansas City Symphony's new Finance Director. Barbara brings to the symphony significant financial and management experience. Most recently, she served as Director of Finance and Information Systems at Camp Fire Boys and Girls national headquarters in Kansas City. Previously, she was Director of Financial Operations for the American Nurses Association. Barbara holds a Masters Degree in Management and Business Administration from Webster University and is a Certified Public Accountant. In addition to her professional activities she has served in a number of volunteer capacities, including the Women's Foundation of Greater Kansas City and the Central Exchange. Her engagement began on July 1.

This appointment completes the staff restructuring which began last fall and the assemblage of the Kansas City Symphony's new senior administrative team. Previous senior staff appointments included Mary Watkins, General Manager; Joan Israelite, Development Director; as well as Mary Cade, Executive Assistant. Jill Evans continues as Marketing Director.

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