Fort Collins Symphony Staff

Administrative Staff
Executive Director: Carrie Newman
Graphic Designer / Administrative Professional: Kara Holmstrom
Events & Volunteer Coordinator: Patti Newman
Advertising & Events Coordinator: Lisa Schwartz

Artistic Staff
Music Director / Conductor: Wes Kenney
Orchestra Personnel Manager: April Johannesen
Production Manager: Jeff Lee
Librarian: Becky Kutz Osterberg
Apprentice Conductor: Adam A Torres
Apprentice Conductor: Christy Muncey
 

New director brings music, financial expertise

Carrie Newman hopes to use her head for business, her heart for the arts and her hands in the community to lead the Fort Collins Symphony into the next decade.

"I believe that interested, caring people make the difference in building a strong, thriving community," said the Fort Collins Symphony's new executive director.

Newman - who replaces former director Terese Kaptur, who resigned in June 2009 and interim director Lynn Leedy - served as a director of physician management services at Poudre Valley Health System and as senior manager of Finance, Compensation and Administrative Operations at Kaiser Permanente in Denver.

During the past two years, the symphony, like many arts groups, has faced economic constraints ranging from an aging audience base to sluggish ticket sales to declining donations.

"It is a national concern, but it is fascinating to watch the innovation that it is creating (nationwide) both in the selections of the repertoires and on the business side," Newman said. "Right now, my focus is on completely understanding our financial situation."

In addition, Newman said she plans to work with the board and Music Director Wes Kenney on expanding the symphony's reach in the community, including the possibility of more casual and pops-style concerts as well as family-focused performances.

"As a mom, and I think for many moms, we want our kids well-educated and well- rounded, and I think knowing music and the full range of music is really important," said Newman, adding that for her children that means not only knowing about Brahms and Bach but also about Collective Soul and AC/DC.

"There's a funness to the symphony that can be brought to families," she said. "I think there will be a lot of thought as we begin to set the 2011-12 concert schedule around how can we do that."

Kenney said he's encouraged by Newman's willingness to reach out not only to all members of the organization but to the community, as well.

"Carrie seems to be bright and energetic, and in this business, that's something that we definitely need," Kenney said.

Her financial savvy, combined with her passion for the arts and community ties (Newman was born and raised in Fort Collins), made her an ideal choice for the position, symphony board members said.

"We are excited that she will bring fresh ideas and insight to our organization," said Board President Ben Loeffler.

"I am coming in with an expectation of partnership," Newman said. "The symphony is about giving back to the community; I want to focus on that."

2011-2012
Masterworks Schedule

THE NEW FAMILIAR
Masterworks #1
September 24, 2011
7:30pm - Lincoln Center
Wagner Prelude to Lohengrin Act III
Enescu Romanian Rhapsody No. 1 in A major
Barber Concerto for Violin & Orchestra
J. Strauss, Jr. Blue Danube Waltz
Rossini William Tell Overture
Williams Harry’s Wondrous World
Paganini Moto Perpetuo
Liszt Les Preludes
Guest Artist - Elizabeth Pitcairn, Violin

FRENCH FRIGHTS
Masterworks #2
October 29, 2011
7:30pm - Lincoln Center
César Franck The Accursed Huntsman
Saint-Saëns Cello Concerto
Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique
Guest Artist - Zuill Bailey, Cello

THE FOUR SEASONS
Masterworks #3
February 18, 2012
7:30pm - Lincoln Center
Vivaldi The Four Seasons
Beethoven Symphony No. 8
Guest Artist - Nina Tso-Ning Fan, Violin

FROM ACROSS THE POND
Masterworks #4
March 17, 2012
7:30pm - Lincoln Center
March 18, 2012
2:00pm - TVHS, Loveland
Vaughan-Williams Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis
Britten Serenade for Tenor, Horn, and Strings
Elgar Enigma Variations
Guest Artists - Todd Queen, Tenor and Jason Johnston, Horn

A TRIBUTE TO JOHN WILLIAMS
Pops Concert
April 14, 2012
7:30pm - Timberline Church

RUSSIAN MASTERPIECES
Masterworks #5
May 19, 2012
7:30pm - Lincoln Center
May 20, 2012
2:00pm - TVHS, Loveland
Shchedrin Symphony Fanfares (Festive Overture)
Rachmaninov Rhapsody on Theme of Paganini
Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5
Guest Artist - David Korevaar, Piano