Accomplished arts executive Scott Harrison has been appointed Executive Director of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO), announces LACO Board President Dana Newman. Harrison, who assumes his post on October 6, 2015, handles responsibility for providing the vision, strategic direction and oversight of the organization.
Led by Music Director Jeffrey Kahane, LACO is considered one of the world’s premier chamber orchestras. Harrison comes to LACO from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) where he served as Vice President for Advancement and External Relations. Having joined DSO in 2010 as Senior Director of Patron Engagement and Loyalty Programs, he was promoted to Executive Director of Board Engagement and Strategy in 2013 and to the Vice President role in 2014. Harrison’s extensive background with major orchestras also includes work with the symphony orchestras of Indianapolis, New Jersey, Dallas and Boston. A bassoonist earlier in his career, Harrison performed with the Indianapolis Symphony, Shreveport Symphony and Dallas Wind Symphony, among others, in addition to performing on tour in the United Kingdom, Europe and Latin America. He has taught bassoon in the US, Haiti, Honduras and the Dominican Republic.
“Scott Harrison brings an enormous wealth of experience in the orchestra world to this position with LACO,” says Newman. “His remarkable leadership of Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s fundraising and communications arm through a very challenging period in that organization’s history gave all of us on the executive search committee great confidence in his potential to take LACO to the next level in its evolution. We were especially excited by his ability to inspire and invigorate board leadership and to foster collaboration among board members, staff and musicians. Scott’s successes promoting audience development, digital media initiatives and educational programs singled him out as a strategic, forward-looking thinker, essential qualities for orchestra management in the 21st century. As one of Southern California’s musical treasures, LACO strives to distinguish itself on an international scale, and Scott certainly has the background, energy and vision to make that a reality.”
“I am absolutely delighted to welcome Scott Harrison to his new role with LACO,” says Kahane. “I am extremely eager to begin working in partnership with him as I begin my final two seasons as Music Director. I have been immensely impressed by Scott’s passion, dedication and keen intelligence, and I believe that the combination of his extensive musical training and professional experience as both an orchestral and chamber musician with his exceptional track record in management with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and elsewhere make him an ideal leader for LACO as it heads into its second half-century.”
“I’m thrilled to join the LACO family at such an exciting time in the organization’s history,” says Harrison. “With the 50th anniversary around the corner, this is a time to celebrate a distinguished legacy while finding new ways to share our music with more and broader audiences. I was first attracted to the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra because of the artistry of the LACO musicians, the joy they bring to the stage and the superb guest artists that perform with the ensemble. But as I learned more about the flexibility, diversity, intimacy and personality at the heart of LACO’s music making and community efforts, I knew I belonged at this Orchestra. After the warmth shown us by multiple board members, patrons, orchestra members and staff, and in particular Music Director Jeffrey Kahane and Board President Dana Newman, my wife Angela and I are eagerly anticipating our move to LA and the start of LACO’s season.”
