Experienced fundraising professional selected from national pool of candidates for visionary program focused on future of American orchestras

Nashville, Tenn. (October 15, 2018) —  Maribeth Stahl, Nashville Symphony’s senior director of development, is one of only 12 orchestra professionals nationwide participating in the League of American Orchestras’ Emerging Leaders Program, the field’s prime source for identifying and cultivating the leadership potential of talented orchestra professionals.

The 2018-19 cohort—the most diverse in the history of the program—is comprised of orchestra executive directors, a conductor, a professional orchestral musician and managers in a cross-section of orchestra departments, including education and community engagement, development, marketing, operations, programming and sales.

“For 75 years, the League of American Orchestras has been charged by the field to develop strategic thinkers and innovators,” said League President and CEO Jesse Rosen. “These 12 Emerging Leaders Programparticipants are stewards of our field’s future, and will be equipped with the knowledge they need to lead now and throughout their careers.”

Stahl, who joined the Nashville Symphony in 2009, has a 15-year track record in arts management and comprehensive fundraising efforts. In her role, she directs the organization’s major gift and grant fundraising efforts. Together with key leadership from the administration and board, Stahl has overseen the remarkable growth of the Nashville Symphony’s Annual Fund by 165 percent over the past five years, as well as an 85 percent increase in the organization’s planned giving membership during her tenure. She is also responsible for the design and implementation of the Nashville Symphony’s Governing Members program, which provides a pathway for deeper engagement for the organization’s most committed patrons.

About the Emerging Leaders Program

Launched in 2014, the Emerging Leaders Program is the newest chapter in the League of American Orchestras’ history of developing orchestral leaders. Along with its previous iteration, the Orchestra Management Fellowship Program, the Emerging Leaders Program has advanced the development of more than 190 alumni—now executive directors and senior executives of orchestras.

Program participants were selected through a competitive application process; the League sought individuals who bring the imagination, drive, vision and commitment to grow as leaders in their own orchestras and serve as champions for the field. Applicants were chosen based on their leadership experience and growth potential; adaptive capabilities and collaborative skills; diversity in experience and perspectives; passion for and commitment to orchestras; and potential to shape and influence the orchestra field as it evolves to meet changing audiences.

2018-19 program participants will take part in both in-person and virtual seminars and have the opportunity to learn from top leaders from both inside and outside the orchestra field. Over the course of 10 months, the cohort will engage in one-on-one coaching, mentoring by field leaders, in-depth seminars led by leadership experts, visits with executives and institutions from outside the orchestra field for broader learning, and the opportunity to develop and launch a capstone project at the League’s National Conference in Nashville (June 3-5, 2019) addressing a key leadership issue affecting the field. 

The League of American Orchestras leads, supports and champions America’s orchestras and the vitality of the music they perform. Its diverse membership of more than 2,000 organizations and individuals across North America runs the gamut from world-renowned orchestras to community groups, from summer festivals to student and youth ensembles, from conservatories to libraries, from businesses serving orchestras to individuals who love symphonic music. The only national organization dedicated solely to the orchestral experience, the League is a nexus of knowledge and innovation, advocacy and leadership advancement. Its conferences and events, award-winning Symphony magazine, website and other publications inform people around the world about orchestral activity and developments.

Founded in 1942 and chartered by Congress in 1962, the League links a national network of thousands of instrumentalists, conductors, managers and administrators, board members, volunteers and business partners. More information at americanorchestras.org.