Admin MS

Michael Beattie

President and Executive Director
Mississippi Symphony Orchestra
Jackson, Mississippi
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Years in current position: 4
Years in the field: 8

Majors:
Bachelor of Music, University of Nebraska-Lincoln 
Master of Music, College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati

Additional Training:
Various seminars offered through the League of American Orchestras, especially the Executive Leadership Program
   
Career Path:
Full time career in church music (1975-1999)
Chief Operating Officer, Louisville Orchestra (1999-2004)

What are the most surprising, interesting or challenging aspects of your day-to-day work?
Everything about the activities of an orchestra boils down to relationships. The challenges I encounter are to expand these various and diverse relationships into ones that create strong board and community ownership of the orchestra.

What inspired you to work for an orchestra?
My love of classical orchestral music and my firsthand knowledge of the ways the arts change lives.

What was your first step towards an orchestra career?
I began by networking with people in the business

What advice would you offer to someone considering the orchestra field?
A passion for quality live orchestral music is vital. Education and experience in understanding how to bring people together to support a worthy goal is important. Being a musician, in some form, is very helpful. The League offers excellent resources.