Orchestra Iowa Announces Jeffrey Collier as CEO

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA, June 12, 2015 (Newswire.com) - Don Thompson, Chair of Orchestra Iowa, announced today that the Board of Directors has unanimously approved the appointment of Jeffrey Collier as their next Chief Executive Officer. Collier’s appointment marks the successful conclusion of a national search conducted by a committee that was chaired by board member and Secretary Pat Hanick. He succeeds Robert Massey who left Orchestra Iowa in February to be President and CEO of the Jacksonville (FL) Symphony Orchestra.

“We are delighted to welcome Jeffrey Collier to Orchestra Iowa,” Mr. Thompson said. “He brings the skills, knowledge, and experience needed to guide the continued growth and development of our Orchestra as a musical organization and a major asset to our communities and our state.”

"I look forward to working with Jeff Collier in the months and years ahead as we realize a shared vision for Orchestra Iowa. I am very pleased to have a partner with a background as a musician and a strong reputation as a collaborator."

Timothy Hankewich, Music Director

Orchestra Iowa Music Director Tim Hankewich agreed. “I look forward to working with Jeff Collier in the months and years ahead as we realize a shared vision for Orchestra Iowa. I am very pleased to have a partner with a background as a musician and a strong reputation as a collaborator.”

Jeffrey Collier has been Executive Director of the Erie (PA) Philharmonic since 2013. Before moving to Erie, he spent a year as a DeVos Institute of Arts Management Fellow at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. From 2009 to 2012, he was Executive Director of the Bismarck-Mandan Symphony Orchestra in North Dakota. His tenures in both Erie and Bismarck-Mandan saw significant growth in programming, audiences and ticket revenues.

Collier holds undergraduate degrees in bassoon performance and music education from Louisiana State University. He earned an MBA at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he specialized in arts administration. He previously served as Chamber Music Manager at The Juilliard School and interned at the Baton Rouge Symphony. For seven summers, he managed the voice program for the legendary mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne at Music Academy of the West.

ORCHESTRA IOWA

Orchestra Iowa is recognized as the state’s premier symphony orchestra, under the direction Timothy Hankewich, now celebrating his tenth year as Music Director. Founded in 1921, the mission of Orchestra Iowa is “to foster enjoyment of, and support for fine symphonic music through quality performances, education, and community involvement’” Its 65 professional musicians perform more than 198 public performances throughout the year, many of which can be heard on Iowa Public Radio and seen on Iowa Public Television. Orchestra Iowa showcases its artistic excellence each season through an accomplished array of classical, ballet, opera, popular and chamber performances, in addition to extensive community education and involvement.

CONTACT

Dee Bierschenk
Marketing Manager
[email protected]
319.366.8206

###