Admin MA

Lisa Bryington Barr

Executive Director
Boston Musica Viva
Boston, Massachusetts
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Time in current position: 4 months
Years in the field: 2

Majors:
Musical Arts, minors in human and organizational development, managerial studies

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

Career Path:
Project Manager,  Handel and Haydn Society
Manager of Institutional Giving and Special Projects, Handel and Haydn Society

What are the most surprising, interesting or challenging aspects of your day-to-day work?
The most challenging aspect of my job is managing my time. As the only administrator, it is my responsibility to do anything and everything, from fundraising to finances to production work to marketing to stuffing envelopes.

What inspired you to work for an orchestra?
I love music and I think of my current work as making music.

What was your first step toward an orchestra career?
My first big step was participating in the League’s Essentials of Orchestra Management, which was a fantastic opportunity that assured me orchestra management was the field for me.
What advice would you offer to someone considering the orchestra field?
Work to accumulate important leadership experiences as early as possible.

Any other advice?
Find trustworthy mentors in the field and solicit their opinions as you move forward in your career.

Letitia Stevens

Executive Director
Newton Symphony Orchestra
Newton, Massachussetts
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Years in current position: 2
Years in the field: 4

Majors:
BTEC Higher Diploma in Furniture Restoration and Conservation, London College of Furniture
Master of Music in Vocal Performance, Longy School of Music

Additional Training:
Westminster Choir College: short course in choral conducting
Private voice lessons and coachings

Career Path:
Bench Furniture Restorer, Hatfield and Sons, London
Conservation Officer, The Wallace Collection, London 
Intern in Furniture Conservation, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Self-employed Furniture Conservator, Letitia Stevens Conservation, Medford, Massachussetts

What are the most surprising, interesting or challenging aspects of your day-to-day work?
Surprising: What fun it all is. Interesting: Solving multiple problems at once.  Challenging: Raising money.

What inspired you to work for an orchestra?
I played in an orchestra in high school and thought it would be fun to run one. My sister worked in orchestral administration briefly when I was in college and I wished it was me. I discovered I was good at administration when I was in graduate school, so when I was given the opportunity to help temporarily (for two weeks) in the office at the Newton Symphony, I jumped at it. It went from two weeks temporarily to two years part-time to two years and more full-time.

What would you have done differently?
I would do what I wanted to do and not what I thought I should do, or what was safe, or what others wanted me to do. I would have been much happier and much further along in my career had I worked in arts administration from my mid-twenties instead of from my late thirties!

What advice would you offer to someone considering the orchestra field?
Having taken over the position from someone who was a very experienced administrator, but who had no musical background and found that to be very difficult, I would say, learn about the arts side of things and if necessary pick up the administration on the way, provided you are by nature reasonably well organized. If you really want to, do an M.B.A. in arts administration, but above all know how the music field works.

Any other advice?
It’s fun. But you will always have way too much to do and probably be underpaid. On the other hand the musical and personal rewards are great. You need to love people, particularly the musicians and the little old ladies who forget where their seats are and if they have sent in this year’s subscription.