Admin FL

Lawrence Kopp

Executive Director
Atlantic Classical Orchestra
Fort Pierce, Florida
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Years in current position: 1
Years in the field: 8

Majors:
B.M. Performance
M.M. Musicology

Additional Training:
Not training per se, but I spent eleven years as an officer in the U.S. Army, which was invaluable in learning leadership and management.

Career Path:
Executive Director, American Composers Orchestra
Exec Director, Altoona Symphony Orchestra
Freelance Musician, Operations Manager, Grand Teton Music Festival

What are the most surprising, interesting or challenging aspects of your day-to-day work?
Dealing with the multiple personalities involved in the various orchestra constituiencies.

What inspired you to work for an orchestra?
Love of music.

What were your first steps toward an orchestra career?
Taking advantage of the incredible opportunities that presented themselves, but of course they only come to those who work hard and in a sense make them come their way. I had many opportunities to perform as a freelance musician, which led to my being hired to work at the Grand Teton Music Festival. And applying and being accepted into Officer Candidate School in the Army.

What advice would you offer to someone considering the orchestra field?
Get practical, hands-on work experience! Management and leadership are not orchestra specific. And of course, always treat others with respect and kindness.

Any other advice?
Learn about all aspects of the orchestra field and, if possible, get experience in as many of them as possible.

Sandi M.A. Macdonald

Miami Residency Director
The Cleveland Orchestra
Miami, Florida
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Years in current position: 1
Years in the field: 22

Michael Pastreich

President and CEO
The Florida Orchestra
St. Petersburg, Florida
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Years in current position: 1
Years in the field: 19

Majors:
B.F.A., Silversmithing, minor in English
Graduate studies, Silversmithing

Additional Training:
Orchestra Management Fellowship Program, League of American Orchestras

Career Path:
Internships, Saint Louis Symphony, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Music of the Baroque  Tour preparations, Pittsburg Symphony Orchestra
Interim Operations Director, New World Symphony 
Concerts Manager, San Jose Symphony
Executive Director, Elgin Symphony Orchestra

What are the most surprising, interesting or challenging aspects of your day-to-day work?
The variety of tasks that come across my desk each day. I can be in the middle of discussing the format of a $30,000,000 stabilization campaign when I am asked what we should do about the next concert broadcast, and then jump into staff development and delegation issues. I feel like every ounce of my brain is used on a daily basis.

What inspired you to work for an orchestra?
My frustration with my silversmithing studies was that I did not see sufficient variety.  I enrolled in a class on arts management at Washington University because I thought an artist should know something about the management side of things. The class entailed an internship with the Saint Louis Symphony. As soon as I became involved with administrative issues, I was fascinated.

What advice would you offer to someone considering the orchestra field?
This is a fascinating field. It is also an exhausting one. Meet people in the field and get an internship. If the challenges are truly fascinating, dig in further. If you think you could grow to enjoy it, or that it would become more interesting if you had a more advanced position, it might not be a good fit.

Any other advice?
Managing an orchestra well is a never-ending drive to become a better servant; to your community, the musicians, the board, and the staff.