Detroit hands over baton three months early
NewsThe Detroit Symphony Orchestra has brought forward Erik Rönmark’s appointment as chief executive to start immediately, following concerns about the health of the departing Anne Parsons.
Rönmark, 44, was due to start in March 2022, but Parson has asked to be relieved of her duties in order to focus on her cancer fight.
She has turned around the orchestra from post-strike demoralisation to a position of artistic prosperity.
We wish her well.
Detroit a special city for culture with Motown and the Red Wings also… Few months ago I saw an excellent documentary about Motown. And at a moment they said that in the 60’s the fantastics musicians of the band who were from the city went to music school and that they were used to see in concert the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. It has an influence. I know that later Jarvi father directed the orchestra. I don’t know if they are used to go in concert in Europe like the BSO or the LA Phil but I would like to see once this orchestra in concert.
Asking again…what is this guy’s experience in fundraising? As CEO, that will be his main mandate.
There always seems to be a boatload of Europeans available to run American orchestras, opera companies, and service organizations. Which is funny, since Americans have been in the orchestra business since the late 19th century. I guess they have an advantage in that they grow up in countries where classical music has deeper roots. But does that mean they know what works in an American cultural context? (I understand that Ronmark has been in Michigan for a long time, and I wish him well.)
He’s been in the US since 1996 and is also an actual musician, which is a huge plus IMO.
“A native of Sweden, Rönmark is a first-prize winner of both the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition and the Coleman Chamber Music Competition. He is also the recipient of the American-Scandinavian Foundation’s award for establishing valuable relationships between Sweden and America. Using his diverse talents and skills within the music field, he has collaborated and assisted artists such as Karlheinz Stockhausen, Terry Riley, Matthew Barney, Shara Nova, and Branford Marsalis, and has commissioned and premiered over 30 new works for saxophone.”
“Erik Rönmark came to the United States in 1996 to continue his musical education.”