Central New York’s professional symphony orchestra, Symphoria, has hired a new executive director. Dr. Pam Murchison previously served as both a musician and administrator for the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra. She says that experience both on stage and behind the scenes gives her a unique perspective.
"That helped me really understand where all of the stakeholders are coming from. Working so closely with the donors and seeing as a musician the level of excellence that people are striving towards and also how the community responds to that and how much the musicians and the concert goers really want to be connected."
During her time in West Virginia, Murchison the musician played the flute. At the same time, Murchison the administrator increased both the symphony’s endowment by 40% and individual giving levels by 37%. She’s excited to be a part of the diverse concerts Symphoria will be putting on, including a showing of the movie Back to the Future in which the soundtrack will be played live by the orchestra.
"There are all sorts of ways that art and culture and pop culture intersect. I think things are always more connected than they might seem on the surface. I think that the way Symphoria explores that is really fascinating."
Murchison says she hopes to create an atmosphere in which grandparents and grandchildren alike can enjoy shows once she officially begins on June 3rd. More information can be found at ExperienceSymphoria.org.
