Youngest orchestra CEO is just 25
NewsIt is being claimed that Rachel Hagemeier, aged 25, is about to become the youngest CEO and president of an American symphony orchestra.
Rachel, a bassoonist, is taking over at the Canton Symphony Orchestra in Ohio next month.
Founded in 1937, the orchestra’s music director since 1980 has been Gerhardt Zimmermann. He’s leaving soon, and the concert hall has been named after him.
UPDATE: Rachel was born in July 1997, according to public records.
The Associate Conductor of Canton Symphony has been named Music Director Designate to succeed Zimmermann
And his name is Matthew – just a coincidence?
No, Matthew is a really really rare name in the English language….
She’s actually 25
Gerhardt Zimmermann is a consummate musician, conductor, and friend. He conducts new music and standard repertoire as one. I am personally sad, because I want him to live forever and conduct orchestras forever. His name adorns the arts center and will live on. We collaborated in Shostakovich’s Second Piano Concerto, and the world premiere of Daniel Perttu’s monumental work, “A Planets Odyssey” in May. Michelle Charles laid the foundation in recent years to evolve this orchestra, and when I met Rachel, there was an aura about her. She will continue the legacy of the orchestra but take it further still. It is nice to see someone like Rachel who will grow with the task at hand. They all start young. Mark Hanson did as well, in Rockford, and gradually climbed his ladder if success to Baltimore. We are blessed by these young, passionate, wonderful leaders.
As for the comment regarding the music director to be, following the footsteps of Gerhardt, Matthew Jaroszewicz will be a fabulous music director. We enjoyed the “Carnival of the Animals” and I expect he will bring vitality and vision to the orchestra and to the Canton community. Congratulations to them all.
Canton did not do a formal ED search. She was promoted from being the education director position with the orchestra. Considering that she has no prior senior management experience nor fundraising experience, she is in for steep learning curve. We wish her well.
Zimmermann was past his shelf life ten years ago. But nobody dare publicly comment for fear of retribution. He was a decent but limited conductor, and symphony leadership worshiped him, not so much the players. He was a good fit for that level of regional orchestra and Canton, where he carved out his niche. Tip of the hat for his long tenure and devotion. Good luck to the new CEO. It’s a tough climb today with classical music being eroded away by generational, streaming content culture pressure.
External candidates not welcome for position of Music Director or CEO. I’m seeing a pattern here…
Rachel is one of my best friends. We met in college. She’s actually 25. Also, it’s not being claimed that she is taking over; it’s confirmed. As someone who has a background in journalism, arts administration, and performance, this article is a bad journalistic example.
It is claimed that she is the youngest not that she is taking over. Learn to read before you write.
“It is being claimed that Rachel Hagemeier, aged 25, is about to become the youngest CEO AND president of an American symphony orchestra.” My caps on the “and.”
Reading this announcement reminded me of Ari Solotoff, whom many of you know. He started his career with the Pensacola Symphony at the age of either 21 or 22 before moving on to Louisville, Portland, and the Philadelphia Orchestra. Then law school, and he’s now one of our leading copyright and entertainment lawyers. I treasure the years that I worked with him – I wish Rachel equal success.
Promotion from within isn’t always the best move, but nor is it always the worst. Canton might find it difficult for many reasons to attract outside talent and experience, and presumably she knows the orchestra and community well already. Wishing her the best and cheering her on! Hope it’s the start of a great career.