KEITH ELDER APPOINTED VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER AT THE ASPEN MUSIC FESTIVAL AND SCHOOL

Press Contact:
Jessica Cabe
PR and Publications Associate
jcabe@aspenmusic.org, 970-205-5072

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 1, 2016

Keith Elder appointed Vice President and General Manager at the Aspen Music Festival and School

Elder brings wealth of experience from the Eastman School of Music, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Boston Symphony Orchestra and Tanglewood Music Center

ASPEN, COLORADO—Aspen Music Festival and School president and CEO Alan Fletcher announced today that Keith Elder will join the organization as vice president and general manager.

Elder comes to the Festival from the Eastman School of Music, where he was director of concert activities and artistic and executive director of presentations. Prior to that, he was vice president of operations at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and held various positions over 18 years at the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Boston Pops and Tanglewood Music Center. He holds a BS in music and arts administration from Indiana University (concentrations in tuba and technical theater) and a JD from New England Law.

“Keith brings deep knowledge and experience in both music education and performance, and in running another internationally important music festival,” says Fletcher. “As a musician himself, he has appreciation and passion for the art form. At the same time, he has remarkable leadership and communication skills. I’m pleased that he will be joining the Aspen team and know he will make many important contributions to our continued success.”

Says Elder, “I’m looking forward to being a part of this institution that plays a leadership role in the international music industry. I have long admired the Aspen festival and its consummate musicians and look forward to our important work together.”

As vice president and general manager, Elder will join the senior management of the AMFS and work closely with that team, Fletcher and Music Director Robert Spano on a range of institutional, educational and artistic planning matters. He will lead the institution’s year-round operational efforts, which include the summer festival with more than 300 events, winter events, facilities management, house management, festival housing and residencies for more than 100 artist-faculty members, contracts, broadcast/recording media rights, rentals agreements and collaborations with other institutions.

The Aspen Leadership Group provided indispensable assistance in the search.

Elder will move to Aspen with his wife Felicia and two dogs and start his new position on January 23.

ABOUT THE ASPEN MUSIC FESTIVAL AND SCHOOL

The Aspen Music Festival and School is the United States’ premier classical music festival, presenting more than 300 musical events during its eight-week summer season in Aspen. The institution draws top classical musicians from around the world to this Colorado mountain retreat for an unparalleled combination of performances and music education. Many events are free and seating on the David Karetsky Music Lawn and in the Music Garden is always free. The 2017 festival runs June 29 through August 20.

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