Admin TX

Craig Escamilla

Executive Director
Symphony of Southeast Texas
Beaumont, Texas
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Years in current position: 3
Years in the field: 4

Majors:
Undergraduate: Music (Vocal Performance)
Master of Business Administration

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

Career Path:
Summer intern (unpaid), Symphony of Southeast Texas
Director of Communications and Education, Symphony of Southeast Texas
Executive Director, Symphony of Southeast Texas

What are the most surprising, interesting or challenging aspects of your day-to-day work?
Dealing with the various constituents: patrons, board members, donors, musicians, and staff. It is also the most important, and the most fulfilling.

Looking back, would you do anything differently?
I intended to go to graduate school to pursue a conducting career, but realized I was much more interested in the administrative aspect of orchestras. A friend and colleague who preceded me as executive director of the Symphony of Southeast Texas provided much encouragement and several experiential opportunities. After he left to assume a similar position with a larger orchestra the board conducted a national search, but decided in the end to ask if I was interested in the position. I gladly accepted the challenge. I am very pleased that I did because I love this industry and cannot wait to see where it goes in the future, to be a part of that movement.

What advice would you offer to someone considering the orchestra field?
Try to find an open door and get in. Once you’re in, you’re hooked. Work hard, learn all you can, and get involved with the League, which is an invaluable resource to people at all levels and capacities within the field. Most importantly, make sure you know the music inside and out. Buy recordings, attend concerts, read books, just learn and know the music. This sounds harsh, but if you don’t love the music, you should really look for a different field, because what we do must always be in service of the music. And to serve the music fully and completely, you must know and love it.

Diane Hilbert

Executive Director
Midland-Odessa Symphony and Chorale
Midland, Texas
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Time in current position: 15 months
Years in the field: 20+

Majors:
B.A. Performance
M.M. Orchestral Conducting
M.M. Performance
D.M.A. Performance, Conducting
Career Path:
Freelance musician, Houston, Texas
Program Head/Instrumental Conductor, Mohave Community College
Director of Education, Richmond Symphony

What are the most surprising, interesting or challenging aspects of your day-to-day work?
The lack of real world experience and insight of the musicians and working in an orchestra

What inspired you to work for an orchestra?
I’ve been in music since junior high school. It’s what I do and a big part of who I am.

What might you do differently?
If I began again, I would go back to school for my M.M. sooner.

What advice would you offer to someone considering the orchestra field?
In arts administration: Learn about the jobs in the field. Apply for the League’s Orchestra Management Fellowship Program.

Any other advice?
Know what kind of lifestyle you want to live. The money you earn for these jobs and the demands on your time may not be for you. But you can really be happy in this field if you truly can’t see yourself doing anything else.