Matthew VanBesien, president of the New York Philharmonic, will become president of the University Musical Society of the University of Michigan in July.
VanBesien, who has served as president of the New York Philharmonic since 2012, will take the reins from Kenneth Fischer, who retires at the end of June after 30 years in the job.
He will become the seventh president in UMS’ 138-year history after Henry Simmons Frieze (1879-81, 1883-89), Alexander Winchell (1881-83, 1889-91), Francis Kelsey (1891-1927), Charles Sink (1927-68), Gail Rector (1968-86) and Fischer (1987-2017).
“I am truly honored to become the next president of UMS,” VanBesien said. “UMS, its extraordinary programming, staff and board are, simply put, among the most admired in the performing arts field. It’s my great privilege to be able to succeed Ken Fischer, who I know and deeply respect, and with whom I’ve collaborated during my tenure at the New York Philharmonic.
“While my career has been centered in the orchestral world for the last 25 years, I’m extremely excited about the diversity of programming that UMS offers, both on the stage and working throughout their community.
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“I’ve visited Ann Arbor several times over the past few years and love the energy and sense of commitment that pervades both the University of Michigan and the Ann Arbor community. My wife, Rosie, and I are looking forward to moving to Michigan and immersing ourselves in all that the region offers.”
Stephen Forrest, chair of the UMS Board and of the search committee, said, “We began the search process over a year ago and were extremely pleased with the quality, diversity and strength of the candidate pool.
“Matthew’s experiences in Ann Arbor and with the New York Philharmonic, his appreciation for the unique university environment in which we operate, and his vision for the organization catapulted him to the top of our choices for the next president of UMS. We are thrilled and honored that he has elected to join UMS, and are excited to embark on this next chapter of UMS’ extraordinary history under Matthew’s leadership.”
Sarah Nicoli, vice chair of the UMS Board, said, “Matthew brings everything that the search committee had hoped to find in its ideal candidate: long experience in the arts, a gift for making connections with people, and an extraordinary ability to turn long-term vision into short-term action. Ken Fischer has left an incredible legacy at UMS, and I have every confidence that Matthew will continue to expand that fine work.”
UMS is an independent non-profit organization affiliated with U-M, presenting over 70 music, theater, and dance performances by professional touring artists each season, along with over 100 free educational activities. The organization received the National Medal of Arts in 2014.
A former French horn player, VanBesien spent eight years performing with the Louisiana Philharmonic before joining the League of American Orchestras’ management fellowship program.
Upon completion of that program, he worked with the Houston Symphony for seven years, rising to executive director and CEO for the final four years of his tenure. He spent two years as managing director of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in Australia before returning to the United States to become executive director of the New York Philharmonic in 2012. He was named president of the New York Philharmonic in 2014.
During his tenure at the New York Philharmonic, VanBesien has helped develop and execute innovative programs along with music director Alan Gilbert, such as the NY PHIL BIENNIAL in 2014 and 2016, the Art of the Score film and music series, and exciting productions like “Jeanne d’Arc au bucher” with Marion Cotillard and “Sweeney Todd” with Emma Thompson.
He led the creation of the New York Philharmonic’s Global Academy initiative, which offers educational partnerships with cultural institutions in Shanghai, Santa Barbara, Houston, and Interlochen to train talented pre-professional musicians, often alongside performance residencies.
He led a successful music director search, with Jaap van Zweden appointed to the role beginning in 2018, the formation of the Philharmonic’s International Advisory Board and President’s Council, and the unique and successful multiyear residency and educational partnership in Shanghai, China.
VanBesien serves on the board of directors of the League of American Orchestras, a membership organization consisting of hundreds of orchestras from across North America, and the executive committee for the Avery Fisher Career Grants, which provides professional assistance and recognition to talented instrumentalists.
A native of St. Louis, VanBesien earned a Bachelor of Music degree in French horn performance from Indiana University. In May 2014, VanBesien received an honorary Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Manhattan School of Music. He is married to Rosanne Jowitt, an accomplished geoscientist in the oil and gas business.
“A university can be neither excellent nor comprehensive without fostering cultural appreciation and the humanistic connections made possible by the arts. U-M’s 200 years as a premier public institution would be much less meaningful without the University Musical Society,” said U-M President Mark Schlissel.
“I have had the pleasure of seeing the benefits of Matthew’s work on our campus and in Southeast Michigan, and I am certain that he will continue to advance the amazing impact of UMS and extend its influence ever more broadly throughout our academic community.”
Aaron Dworkin, dean of the School of Music, Theatre & Dance and a member of the search committee, said, “I am greatly looking forward to working with Matthew VanBesien in his new role at UMS. Our students at the school still talk about the wonderful New York Philharmonic residency last year and how it expanded both their performance and entrepreneurial skill sets.
“UMS and SMTD have a history of partnering on projects large and small, and I couldn’t be happier that we’ll be able to continue that important work with Matthew.”
“I was elated when UMS Board leadership told me that Matthew VanBesien would be UMS’ next president. I’ve known Matthew for many years, and I know that UMS is in great hands under his leadership,” said current UMS president Fischer.
“This is a wise choice, and that we could attract a candidate of Matthew’s caliber says a lot about the vibrancy and support of this organization, this university, and this community. I couldn’t be more delighted.”
Michael Kondziolka, UMS programming director, said, “Having had the opportunity to work with Matthew in various contexts over the past few years, I am confident that his appointment provides an opportunity for seamless transition for our UMS team. Together, with Matthew at the helm, we are energized to continue our mission of serving diverse audiences, artists, and communities. Indeed, we are excited to watch our work evolve and flourish over the coming years.”
Besides Forrest, Dworkin, Nicoli and Kondziolka, the search committee included Rachel Bendit, secretary of the UMS Board; Lisa Cook, UMS Board member; Linda Gregerson, professor of English language and literature; Tim Lynch, vice president and general counsel; Tim Marshall, president and CEO of Bank of Ann Arbor; Mike Ross, director of the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Illinois; Rhemé Sloan, a U-M alumnus working at Rice University; and James Stanley, UMS Campaign co-chair.
