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News Release: Fox Valley Symphony names |
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Contact: Mary Harp-Jirschele (ERG) Fox Valley Symphony names Appleton, WI (April 6, 2004)—Marta Weldon of Richmond, Virginia, has been named executive director of the Fox Valley Symphony. Weldon brings nearly 20 years of experience to the position, most recently as director of education for the Richmond Symphony. Weldon, who will begin her duties on June 1, was selected from a pool of more than 50 candidates from around the country. “Marta brings a wealth of symphony management experience to the position and we are looking forward to her leadership,” said Sally Mielke, chair of the search committee. She will officially be introduced to Symphony patrons at the April 25 concert featuring The Temptations. Weldon is a 1981 graduate of the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music, has a master’s of music degree in clarinet performance from the University of Michigan, spent a year at the Sweelinck Conservatory in The Netherlands, and has a certificate in non-profit management and leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University. In addition to her management experience with the Richmond Symphony, Weldon was tour manager of the Richmond Woodwind Quintet and a conference coordinator for the Regional Orchestra Players Association held in Richmond. She also served as clarinetist with the Richmond Symphony for many years. Her teaching background includes serving as adjunct professor of clarinet at both the University of Richmond and Virginia Commonwealth University, instructor of clarinet and woodwinds at Interlochen Arts Camp, and she served on the artist faculty for the Governor’s School for the Visual and Performing Arts. Among Weldon’s many awards and honors during her career is an Outstanding Virginia Educator presidential citation from the University of Richmond and the Chamber Music “Performance of the Year” as cited by the Richmond Times-Dispatch music critic. “My strengths in leadership consist of communication, organization and the advocacy of orchestra music and education through successful fundraising and marketing experiences,” Weldon stated. “I’m confident my skills will allow me to help constituents of the Fox Valley Symphony realize current and future goals.” Weldon will relocate to Appleton with her husband, Michael, a licensed substance abuse treatment practitioner, and their 8-year-old daughter, Mikele, who is an active Girl Scout. The search was conducted on a pro-bono basis by Sharon Hulce and Mary Harp-Jirschele of Employment Resource Group (ERG). “We are thrilled with the results of the search,” said Karen Laws, president of the Symphony Board. “The ERG team was very thorough and we have found just what we were looking for. Sharon has been instrumental in bringing new talent to the Fox Cities arts community, and we have greatly benefited from her skills.” Hulce also conducted the search that resulted in the hire of Susan Stockton, president of the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, and ERG is currently interviewing for a new Attic Theatre executive director. The Fox Valley Symphony (FVS) has a rich history of providing music and educational opportunities to the community. Since its inception, in addition to its concert series, the FVS has sponsored a Youth Symphony and Philharmonia Strings programs for student musicians; and an in-school program (Partners in Education) for third and fourth grade students. For the past 38 years, FVS conductors have selected young, talented guest artists to perform with the orchestra and have invited other local performing groups to share the stage. These have recently included the Appleton Boychoir, Makaroff School of Ballet, Lawrence University Girl’s Choir and the White Heron Chorale. |
