Development WI

Jennifer Dieter

Director of Development
Fox Valley Symphony
Appleton, Wisconsin
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Years in current position: 1
Years in the field: 5+

Majors:
Philosophy

Career Path:
Associate Director of Annual Giving, Lawrence University
Development and Communications Associate, Housing Options for the Mentally Ill
Grant-writing Intern, Illiniois Public Interest Research Group (PIRG)
Communications Intern, Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company
Finance Intern, Schakowsky for Congress

What are the most surprising, interesting or challenging aspects of your day-to-day work?
It’s definitely challenging to be a one-person shop, but it also makes my daily work interesting. I’m never doing the same thing from day to day.

What inspired you to work for an orchestra?
I see the arts as an important tool in making the Fox Cities a desirable place to live. I’ve always had a love for classical music and played an instrument when I was younger, but I was drawn to the quality and stability of the organization and the impact it has on the community.

What was your first step towards a career in development?
I started as a student worker in the development office at Lawrence University and I got hooked. I really worked hard to try our different size organizations and types of organizations in order to gain a full perspective on the fund-raising field and to gain skills in all areas of development. 

What advice would you offer to someone considering the orchestra field?
If you love working with people and making a difference in your community, this is a great field for you.  Development is an absolutely vital part of any organization’s success, and it’s nice to see the work your organization is doing in the community and realizing that you have a part in it. I would suggest getting as much experience in all aspects of development as possibe before specializing in one area.

Any other advice?
It’s not easy! It’s becoming harder and harder to market classical music when you are up against big country music stars and Broadway shows, but you have to believe in the value of your product and sell it. I feel extremely fortunate to have the Fox Valley Symphony in my community, and I hope I’d feel the same way in any community I called home.

Kathryn Rasmussen

Director or Development
Madison Symphony Orchestra
Madison, Wisconsin
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Years in current position: 2
Years in the field: 8

Majors:
Cello performance, Arts Administration

Additional Training:
Internships, San Francisco Opera, Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival
League of American Orchestras, Association of California Symphony Orchestras seminars

Career Path:
Director of Operations, Modesto Symphony Orchestra
Associate Director of Development, Madison Symphony Orchestra

What are the most surprising, interesting or challenging aspects of your day-to-day work?
Coordinating the efforts of a large development committee (for all of the above).

What inspired you to work for an orchestra?
I love the music, I love what a vibrant symphony means to a community, and I believe that the performing arts—particularly music—are one of the highest forms of human pursuit.

What were your first steps toward an orchestra career?
I got two master’s degrees in Cello Performance—a long story and a bad idea.

What advice would you offer to someone considering the orchestra field?
Volunteer for an orchestra. There’s no better way to learn about the field and find out if you enjoy it.