Development SC

Robin Georgion

Development Director
South Carolina Philharmonic
Columbia, South Carolina
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Years in current position: 1
Years in the field: 9

Majors:
Music/Fine Arts

Additional Training:
Association of Fundraising Professinals  seminars
CASE workshops
League of American Orchestras National Conference

Career Path:
Atlanta Opera: Development Manager, Special Events Manager, Corporate and Public Funding Director
Associate Director of Annual Giving, Eastern Kentucky University

What are the most surprising, interesting or challenging aspects of your day-to-day work?
I enjoy multi-tasking and this job offers lots of opportunities to do just that!

What inspired you to work for an orchestra?
I am a lifelong musician (string bass) and love working with people. This was the perfect fit!

What were your first steps in your professional career?
I worked my way up from data entry, not even knowing what “development” meant, to what I do now and I wouldn’t change a thing.

What advice would you offer to someone considering the orchestra field?
Go with the flow and keep your cool. Plans can change on a moment’s notice and that’s okay.

Any other advice?
Hands-on experience is vital. I know people who have multiple degrees in the field but do not know how to run a copy machine. Learn everything you can. One day or another, you’ll need it!

Reimer Priester

Development Director
Greenville Symphony Orchestra
Greenville, South Carolina
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Years in current position: 2 years
Years in the field: 3 years

Majors:
Public Policy Studies, Arts Management focus

Additional Training:
League of American Orchestras Development Mentoring Circle

Career Path:
Young American Artist Program Intern, Glimmerglass Opera
Operations Intern, Greenville Symphony Orchestra 
Public Health Extension Worker-Peace Corps, Guinea, West Africa 

What are the most surprising, interesting or challenging aspects of your day-to-day work?
The most interesting aspect of my job is easily the human element. Much of what I do is hugely predicated on my skill (or lack thereof) with people. Whether it’s coordinating board members to solicit gifts or doing it myself, making sure that my interactions with each party are the best possible keeps my job engaging and fascinating.

What inspired you to work for an orchestra?
A consuming love for the arts and an obsession with music.
What advice would you offer to someone considering the orchestra field?
Passion is what you need at the beginning; self-awareness and intellectual curiosity will carry you through. But honestly, what do I know? I’m 27.

Any other advice?
I tend to think that this field self-selects, but I’d have to say, “love the music.”  You can’t be in this field without that love. I’ve seen it happen and it’s not fun to deal with.