OUR PEOPLE
Grant Llewellyn, Music Director Laureate
The Maxine and Benjamin Swalin Chair
Grant Llewellyn is renowned for his exceptional charisma, energy, and easy authority in music of all styles and periods. A native of Tenby, South Wales, Llewellyn won a conducting fellowship to the Tanglewood Music Center in Massachusetts in 1985, where he worked with conducting legends Leonard Bernstein, Seiji Ozawa, Kurt Masur, and André Previn. As Assistant Conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra in the early 1990s, he conducted at the Tanglewood Music Festival, and on classical series and Boston Pops concerts.
Llewellyn has conducted many orchestras in North America, most notably the symphonies of Atlanta, Boston, Houston, Milwaukee, Montreal, Philadelphia, St. Louis, and Toronto. As Music Director of the Handel and Haydn Society, America’s leading period orchestra, he gained a reputation as a formidable interpreter of music of the Baroque and Classical periods.
Music Director of the Orchestre Symphonique de Bretagne since 2015, Llewellyn has held positions with numerous other European orchestras — including Principal Conductor of the Royal Flanders Philharmonic, Principal Guest Conductor of the Stavanger Symphony Orchestra, and Associate Guest Conductor with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. An accomplished opera conductor, Llewellyn has appeared at the English National Opera, Opera North, Spoleto Festival USA, and the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis.
Llewellyn has led NCS in four critically acclaimed recordings, most recently Britten’s Cello Symphony and Prokofiev’s Sinfonia Concertante, both with cellist Zuill Bailey. Deeply committed and passionate about engaging young people with music, Llewellyn regularly leads education activities with NCS and around the world.
Carlos Miguel Prieto, Artistic Advisor
Carlos Miguel Prieto is considered the leading Mexican conductor of his generation. A highly respected cultural leader, Prieto was named Musical America’s 2019 Conductor of the Year. He possesses a wide-ranging repertoire, has led more than 100 world premieres, and is a champion of American and Latin American composers.
Prieto serves as Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra; Music Director of Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de México and Orquesta Sinfónica de Minería in Mexico; and Music Director of the Orchestra of the Americas. Prieto is a graduate of Princeton University and received his MBA from Harvard Business School.
Michelle Di Russo, Assistant Conductor
The Lucy Moore Ruffin Chair
A graceful yet powerful force on the podium, Argentinian-Italian conductor Michelle Di Russo is known for her compelling interpretations, passionate musicality, and championing of contemporary music. Recently appointed as Interim Director of Orchestras at Cornell University, she is a Freeman Conducting Fellow in Chicago Sinfonietta’s Project Inclusion program and The Dallas Opera Hart Institute.
Former posts include serving as Assistant Conductor for the Phoenix Youth Symphony Orchestra and serving as cover conductor and assistant for The Phoenix Symphony and Arizona Musicfest. In addition to her fellowships, Di Russo was the recipient of a 2020 American Austrian Foundation/Faber Young Conductors Fellowship and a Bruno Walter Memorial Foundation Conducting Scholarship at the Cabrillo Music Festival of Contemporary Music, and has served as a conducting fellow at the Cortona Sessions for New Music in Italy.
Recent engagements include her debut with the North Carolina Symphony in two Young People’s Concerts featuring bilingual scripts (English-Spanish) as well as assisting Joseph Young and Sarah Hicks. During the pandemic, Di Russo co-created Girls Who Conduct, dedicated to bridging the gap between women and men in the conducting field and encouraging younger women and non-binary conductors to overcome any obstacles presented due to their gender.
Past highlights include serving as Assistant Conductor for Prague Summer Nights Festival in productions of Le Nozze di Figaro and Die Zauberflöte in the Czech Republic; leading the premiere of Carlos Simon’s This Land at Arizona’s Gammage Memorial Auditorium’s “Beyond the Concert Series;” and serving as cover conductor for Grant Llewellyn with the North Carolina Symphony. Di Russo has guest-conducted the United States “Pershing’s Own” Army Band, the University of Kentucky Symphony Orchestra, University of Kentucky Opera Theatre, the Teatro Colón’s Orquesta Académica, and the Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina Orchestra.
Di Russo’s artistic journey began at the age of three in ballet and continued with studies in voice and piano. She has participated as dancer/actress in Argentinian Disney TV shows such as Violetta and Rincon de Luz and was a cast member of a professional musical theatre production, Drácula by Cibrian-Mahler, while an undergraduate.
A native of Argentina, Di Russo holds a doctoral degree in Orchestral Conducting from Arizona State University and a master’s degree in Orchestral Conducting from the University of Kentucky. She completed her degree in Orchestral Conducting and Music Production of Audiovisual Media from the Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina, where she was awarded an Ad-Hoc Diploma for the highest grade in Orchestral Conducting.
She has participated in master classes with conductors Cristian Măcelaru, Emmanuel Villaume, Marin Alsop, Carlo Montanaro, and Guillermo Scarabino. Mentors include Mei-Ann Chen, Tito Muñoz, Jeffery Meyer, and Carlos Vieu.
North Carolina Symphony Society, Inc.
The Society Board is the governing, policy, and operating board of the Symphony Society. It secures financial resources, approves program goals, engages in strategic planning, and oversees budgets, continuing the Society’s mission to achieve the highest level of artistic quality and performance standards, and embracing the dual legacies of statewide service and music education.
Mr. Don Davis, Chair, Raleigh
Dr. Wm. Charles Helton, Vice Chair, Raleigh
Mr. Joe Bastian, Treasurer, Chapel Hill
Mr. Terry L. Stevens, Assistant Treasurer, Raleigh
Mrs. Ashley Matlock Perkinson, Secretary, Raleigh
Ms. Sandi M. A. Macdonald, President & CEO, Raleigh
Ms. Deborah M. Aiken, Raleigh
Dr. Tim Altman**, Laurinburg
Dr. Trude R. Bate, Cary
Ms. Denise S. Bennett, Raleigh
Mrs. Janie W. Bird, Raleigh
Mr. Jud Bowman, Durham
Ms. Patty Briguglio, Cary
Mr. Steve Burriss, Raleigh
Mr. Tim Clancy, Raleigh
The Honorable Roy Cooper*, Raleigh
Mr. Jeffrey A. Corbett, Raleigh
Mr. Jim Datin, Chapel Hill
Mr. Richard L. Daugherty, Raleigh
Mr. Keith Donahue**, Raleigh
Dr. Robert N. Eby, Chapel Hill
Mr. Rick Gardner, Raleigh
Mr. Michael Gering, Raleigh
Mr. Mike Golden, Raleigh
Mr. Donald A. Haile, Raleigh
Mr. David Haines, Cary
Mrs. Elaine Bryant Hayes, Fayetteville
Mr. Richard E. Hinson, Chapel Hill
Mr. Kevin Howell**, Raleigh
Mr. L. Dwain Joyce*, Fayetteville
Mrs. Cecelia Eckert Kennedy, Morrisville
Ms. Rosemary Gill Kenyon, Raleigh
Dr. Robert Lacin, Raleigh
Mr. Robert MacNeill, Jr., Durham
Ms. Jane Marr**, Wilmington
Mr. Branford Marsalis, Durham
Mrs. Louise A. Miller, Cary
Ms. Ginger Minichiello, Carthage
Mr. James Morgan, Raleigh
Mrs. Florence Peacock, Chapel Hill
Dr. Emily Mann Peck, Raleigh
Ms. Margaret Smedes Poyner, Raleigh
Dr. Ramachandra P. Reddy, Cary
Ms. Donna Rhode, Cary
Mr. Jason Smith, Raleigh
Mrs. Tracey Fodor Smith, Farmville
Mr. David Sontag, Chapel Hill
Mrs. Linda J. Staunch*, New Bern
Mr. M. Gray Styers, Jr. Raleigh
Ms. Sandy Sully, Cary
The Honorable Catherine Truitt*, Cary
Mrs. Jennie Harris Wallace, Raleigh
Mr. Dereck Whittenburg, Raleigh
Secretary D. Reid Wilson*, Raleigh
Mr. Larry Wilson*, Raleigh
Mr. Tim Yull, Raleigh
*Ex Officio Member
**Governor’s Appointee
Lifetime Trustees
The Society and Foundation Boards gratefully recognize the individuals listed below as Lifetime Trustees for extraordinary involvement and leadership of the Symphony over a significant period of time.
Dr. Assad Meymandi – 2015 Inductee
Mr. Edward O. Woolner (deceased) – 2016 Inductee
North Carolina Symphony Foundation
The Foundation Board holds the permanent endowment of the Symphony, solicits additions to the endowment, safeguards and invests assets, and prudently expends funds for the exclusive use and benefit of the Symphony Society.
Mr. Larry Wilson, President, Raleigh
Mr. Chip Anderson, Vice President, Raleigh
Col. Matt Segal, Treasurer, Cary
Ms. Dianne C. Sellers, Secretary, Raleigh
Mr. Thomas H. Roberg, Past President, Raleigh
Ms. Catharine Biggs Arrowood, Raleigh
Mr. Richard L. Daugherty, Raleigh
Mr. Don Davis*, Raleigh
Dr. Warner Hall, Raleigh
Dr. Wm. Charles Helton, Raleigh
Mr. Bill Hodges, Raleigh
Dr. Ted Kunstling, Raleigh
Dr. Shaler Stidham, Jr., Raleigh
*Ex Officio Member
North Carolina Symphony Chapter Boards
Craven County
Linda J. Staunch, President
Nancy Alexander
Susan Braaten
Jim Congleton
Philip Evancho
Catherine Everett
Hannah French
Cille Griffith
John Haroldson
Mary McGee
Bettina Meekins
Champ Mitchell
Luana Palimetakis
Tom Payne
Karen Plaster
Lauren Quinn
Pat Rowlett
Dawn Staats
Cindy Turco
John Ward
Cumberland County
Mr. L. Dwain Joyce, President
Mrs. Ellie Fleishman
Mrs. Elaine Bryant Hayes
Dr. Jae Won Kim
Ms. Ashley Martin
Ms. Joyce McLeod
Mr. Calvin Mims
Mr. Worth Smith
Dr. Mark Tollefsen
Ms. Cathy Wilson
Edgecombe County
Ann Warren, President
Nettie Williams, Vice President
Catherine Powers-Moseley, Secretary
Erica Bilicki
Joy Chafin
Ronnie Ellis
Elizabeth Burns
Eric Greene
Becky Johnson
Nancy Dreier
Carol Ferri
Johanna Owens
Joe Proto
Jim Vogelman
Nina Rountree
Angie Ruffin
Katie Schultz
Suzanne Sharpe
Janet Spiers
Jessie Thorne
Moore County
Jim Arnold, President
Deb Swanson, Secretary
Luke Arno
Chris Dunn*
Ginger Minichiello
Marie Riedesel
Elaine Sills
Onslow County
Earl Taylor, President
Val Darner, Vice-President
Lyndsay Russell, Secretary
Elaine Bell
Jolie Brooks
Lane Beuerman
Dr. Erin Chaney
Pat Collins
Janae Copeland
Bill Darner
Susan Edwards
Gloria Goodwin
Dr. Robert Kell
Vickie Kell
Korene Marsh
Verne Seaton
Marjorie Tredwell
*Ex Officio Member
TRUSTEE LISTS CURRENT AS OF SEPTEMBER 2021
President’s Office
Sandi M.A. Macdonald – President & CEO
Email: smacdonald@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.733.2750
Sue Guenther – Executive Assistant to the President & CEO
Email: sguenther@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5455
Artistic Operations
Donald Tippett – Vice President of Orchestra Operations
Email: dtippett@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5464
Bradford Courage – Director of Orchestra Personnel
Email: bcourage@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5465
Samantha Gallup – Artistic Operations Assistant
Email: sgallup@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5462
Jessica Kunttu – Assistant Librarian
Email: jkunttu@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5469
Janice McLaughlin – Senior Assistant Librarian
Email: jmclaughlin@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5470
Erin Norton – Artistic Planning Manager
Email: enorton@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5521
Bo Osborne – Production Manager
Email: hosborne@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.215.5738
Martin Sher – Artistic Advisor (Consultant)
Email: msher@ncsymphony.org
Christopher Short – Education Assistant
Email: cshort@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.733.2750
Jason Spencer – Director of Education
Email: jspencer@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5461
Stephanie Wilson – Principal Orchestra Librarian (The Mary Colvert and Banks C. Talley Chair)
Email: swilson@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5468
Finance & Administration
Robert Schiller – Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration & CFO
Email: rschiller@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5490
Carol Brown – Accounting & Payroll Manager
Email: cbrown@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5493
Tiffany Debnam – Database & Fulfillment Manager
Email: tdebnam@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5496
Tiffany Haddock – Human Resources & Office Systems Manager
Email: thaddock@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5491
Glenda Hughes – Controller
Email: ghughes@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5494
Stan Williams – Public Affairs Contractor
Email: swilliams@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5456
Marketing & Audience Development
Linda Charlton – Vice President for Marketing & Audience Development
Email: lcharlton@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5474
Jennifer Blackman – Graphic Designer
Email: jblackman@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5481
Ashley Blankenship – Group Sales & Promotions Coordinator
Email: ablankenship@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5505
Gavin Brown – Box Office Manager
Email: gbrown@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5502
Sarah Clements – Box Office Associate
Email: tickets@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.733.2750
Maria H. Ewing – Director of Advertising & Corporate Partnerships
Email: mewing@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5480
Richard Hess – Communications Project Manager
Email: rhess@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5478
Melissa Holmes – Box Office Associate
Email: tickets@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.733.2750
Jonathan Naylor – Box Office Associate
Email: jnaylor@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.733.2750
Jim Vestal – Box Office Associate
Email: tickets@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.733.2750
Emma Wall – Assistant Vice President of Marketing
Email: ewall@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5507
Philanthropy
Lisa Ransom – Vice President of Philanthropy
Email: eransom@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5487
Rebecca Gunn – Director of Annual Giving
Email: rgunn@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5489
Kayla Gurley – Annual Giving & Stewardship Manager
Email: kgurley@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5492
Courtney Hamm – Director of Corporate & Foundation Giving
Email: chamm@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5483
Daniel McHugh – Philanthropy Coordinator
Email: dmchugh@ncsymphony.org
Phone: 919.789.5479
Auditions
No positions are available at this time.
Administrative positions
Assistant Librarian
DEPARTMENT: Operations
REPORTS TO: Principal Librarian
CLASSIFICATION: Full Time – Exempt
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION
Assist the Principal Librarian in any of the activities necessary to the efficient running of the Library. Those activities are not limited to, but include: facilitating the digital bowing process, digitally correcting page turns, stamping and cataloging new sets in the OPAS database, and ensuring that musicians’ folders are accurate and prepared according to contractual guidelines. Fluency in OPAS, Photoshop, Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat and WordPress is a must. Additional qualifications: transposition, score reading, fluency in Sibelius or other musical notation software, and fluency in musical terms in Italian, Spanish, German, and French.
Assist in the circulation/bowing process
- Work with string principals to establish time frame for circulation of materials and circulate digitally.
- Upload bowed parts onto musicians’ page.
- Transfer bowings and other relevant markings from the principal string parts to the section parts.
Folder preparation and distribution
- Ensure availability of the orchestra materials by the contractually mandated deadline: 2 weeks prior to the first rehearsal.
- Collate and place parts into requisite folders.
- Ensure accuracy and inclusion of appropriate cue sheets (including printing of those reports from OPAS).
- Enlarge parts as requested by musicians.
- Maintain and repair folders as needed.
- Assist new members of the orchestra to become familiar with our folder distribution, practice part policies, library resources, etc.
Miscellaneous
- Proofread materials to errata lists when needed.
- Mark cuts and edits as needed in parts.
- Other duties as assigned
CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS
- Experience working in a professional orchestra library
- Undergraduate degree in music
- Performance experience as an orchestral musician preferred
- Ability to focus on the task at hand and high degree of attention to detail
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
- Ability to get along with varying sorts of personalities
- Literacy in the following computer programs:
- OPAS
- Photoshop
- Microsoft Office
- Adobe Acrobat
- WordPress
- Sibelius or other musical notation software
- Proof of COVID-19 vaccine required
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Working knowledge of standard orchestral repertoire, composers, music history, styles, and performance practice
- Familiarity with operating within the guidelines of a Collective Bargaining Agreement
- Familiarity with musical terms in Italian, German, French, and Spanish
- Ability to read a musical score and familiarity with score formats
- Working knowledge of instrument ranges and transpositions
- Neat, precise handwriting
- Ability to comfortably lift 40 lbs.
- Schedule flexibility, ability to work some nights and weekends
THE ORGANIZATION
We are an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on any basis including age, sex, color, race, creed, national origin, religious persuasion, marital status, political belief, or disability that does not prohibit performance of essential job functions.
TO APPLY
Send cover letter, resume by email to:
Donnie Tippett
Vice President of Orchestra Operations
dtippett@ncsymphony.org
No phone calls, please
Box Office Sales Associate
DEPARTMENT: Marketing
REPORTS TO: Box Office Manager
CLASSIFICATION: Full Time/Exempt
Under the direction of the Box Office Manager, the Box Office Associate will provide exemplary customer service both internally and externally and operate in a professional and efficient manner, supporting all box office activities to maximize ticket sales and enhance patron loyalty. It is paramount that this position always serves as an excellent representative of the North Carolina Symphony.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
BOX OFFICE SALES: 60%
Striving for continuous improvement of patron service achieving premier service and advancing patron loyalty initiatives.
- Monitor events on a consistent basis from event creation until after the show occurs to ensure tickets are selling correctly; correct holds remain in place, inventory control, etc.
- Assist Box Office Manager in creating scaling maps, map changes, promo changes and submit events into the ticketing system in an accurate manner.
- Support ticketing system event building, ticket and promotion configuration, ticket design and proofing. Assist in preparation of ticket sales audits and reports related to revenue and attendance at events.
- Attend to ticket sales during regular business hours and during performances via phone, in person, by mail and by email.
- Increase earned income through cross-sale and up-sale opportunities, assist with group sales.
- Demonstrate the ability to balance multiple projects, meet deadlines, and communicate effectively in a frequently flexible and quick-moving environment.
- Assist the Box Office Manager with front of house set-up and oversight.
- Handle all transactions with fastidious attention to detail and security and maintain professional behavior handling confidential information.
- Actively seek out new enhancements and alternatives to enhance patron value and customer service.
- Work closely with the Group Sales Coordinator to ensure accuracy of sales and patron loyalty.
- Follow proper cash handling procedures and reconcile daily transactions.
- Maintain a positive attitude and a genuine interest in helping others.
- Contribute to the environment of the box office in a manner that is conducive to customer service, sales promotion, and quality of work life.
- Provide the highest level of customer service.
- Maintain quality database entry practices when completing regular database maintenance projects.
- A commitment to be available for work evenings and weekends is required.
AUDENCE DEVELOPMENT AND SALES: 30%
Achieves annual statewide earned income, new to file and retention audience development goals.
- Provide feedback in regard to customer entertainment preference and purchasing habits.
- Maintain knowledge of subscriptions and concerts currently available to patrons.
- Advance patrons to the next strategic growth step by participating an inbound/outbound call room.
OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES – 10%
Perform other responsibilities or assignments as required, including evening and weekend concert duty across the state.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Knowledge of basic cash handling procedures, including PCI compliance
- Ability to initiate and build relationships with customers and interact via telephone and in person with customers
- Possess high standards of integrity, credibility, and reliability
- Works well independently and in a group setting, a true team player
- Ability to maintain a high level of poise and professionalism in all circumstances
- Ability to work a flexible schedule including days, evenings, and weekends
- Passion for and/or experience in the performing arts
- Takes initiative and uses innovation; has passion and perseverance; is self-motivated and goal-oriented
- Proficiency in Word, Excel, OneDrive, Outlook, and PowerPoint
- Ability to travel in North Carolina
- Bachelor’s degree required
- Proof of COVID-19 full vaccination required
THE ORGANIZATION
We are an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on any basis including age, sex, color, race, creed, national origin, religious persuasion, marital status, political belief, or disability that does not prohibit performance of essential job functions.
TO APPLY
Send cover letter, resume by email to:
Emma Wall
Assistant Vice President of Marketing
ewall@ncsymphony.org
No phone calls, please
Part-Time Box Office Associate (20 hours/week)
Under the direction of the Box Office Manager, the Box Office Associate will provide support services and operate department in a professional and efficient manner, supporting all box office activities to maximize ticket sales and maintain a high level of customer service.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsibilities for this multi-faceted role include: answer incoming calls and transfer to specific extensions; process ticket orders both in person and via phone, fax, mail, and online; process ticket exchanges; increase earned income through cross-sale and up-sale opportunities; assist with group sales when needed; perform general administrative office duties such as filing and photo copying and other duties as assigned by the Box Office Manager.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Ability to organize, manage, and complete multiple projects and tasks simultaneously with accuracy, timeliness, and enthusiasm
- Experience handling money, ideally in a box office setting
- Excellent oral and written communications skills and highly developed organizational skills
- Willingness to perform outbound calling to sell tickets
- Motivated and enthusiastic, with the ability to own projects while asking for assistance when needed
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs
- Willingness to work outside of traditional business hours and to work a flexible schedule that requires statewide travel and evening and weekend concert work
- Provide exemplary customer service, including the ability to maintain a positive attitude, be flexible, and resolve problems under pressure
- Experience working in retail or phone sales preferred
- Experience with any ticket system preferred
THE ORGANIZATION
We are an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on any basis including age, sex, color, race, creed, national origin, religious persuasion, marital status, political belief, or disability that does not prohibit performance of essential job functions.
TO APPLY
Send cover letter, resume by email to:
Emma Wall
Assistant Vice President of Marketing
ewall@ncsymphony.org
No phone calls, please
About
About the North Carolina Symphony
When the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020, the North Carolina Symphony swiftly pivoted to provide music education programs virtually and online, keeping our service and music education mission front and center. The Symphony’s re-imagined 2020/21 season includes a subscription series of concerts filmed live in Meymandi Concert Hall and streamed to living rooms across the state and beyond. Concerts this season are each receiving thousands of screen views, and the programs featuring North Carolina Symphony musicians and guest artists are getting rave reviews. The North Carolina Symphony is the recipient of a Catalyst Fund grant from the League of American Orchestras made possible by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, to build internal capacity in advancing our understanding and encouraging practice of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI).
NCS is an equal opportunity employer that maintains a policy of nondiscrimination with respect to all employees and applicants for employment including hiring, promotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay, selection for training, and recruitment. All considerations are administered without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability or veteran status. Employment decisions, subject to the legitimate business requirements of NCS, are based solely on the individual’s qualifications, merit, experience and performance. NCS is proud to be a partner orchestra of the National Alliance for Audition Support.
Founded in 1932, the North Carolina Symphony (NCS) is a vital and honored component of North Carolina’s cultural life. Each year, the North Carolina Symphony’s 300 concerts, education programs, and community engagement events are enjoyed by adults and schoolchildren in more than 90 North Carolina counties—in communities large and small, and in concert halls, auditoriums, gymnasiums, restaurants, clubs, and outdoor settings. The Symphony’s full-time professional musicians perform under the artistic leadership of Music Director Laureate Grant Llewellyn.
NCS’s state headquarters venue is the spectacular Meymandi Concert Hall at the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Raleigh. The Symphony’s service across the state includes series in Chapel Hill, Fayetteville, New Bern, Southern Pines, and Wilmington, as well as the Summerfest series at its summer home, the outdoor Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary. NCS brings some of the world’s greatest talents to North Carolina and embraces home-state artists from classical musicians to bluegrass bands, creating live music experiences distinctive to North Carolina.
Committed to engaging students of all ages across North Carolina, NCS leads the most extensive education program of any symphony orchestra—serving nearly 70,000 students each year. In alignment with the curriculum set by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, the Symphony provides training and resources for teachers, sends small ensembles into classrooms, and presents full-orchestra Education Concerts that bring the fundamentals of music to life. Music Discovery for preschoolers combines music with storytelling, and at the middle and high school levels, students have opportunities to work directly with NCS artists and perform for NCS audiences.
NCS is dedicated to giving voice to new art and has presented more than 50 U.S. or world premieres in its history. In 2017, NCS appeared at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., as one of four orchestras chosen for the inaugural year of SHIFT: A Festival of American Orchestras—an honor that recognized the Symphony’s creative programming and innovative community partnerships.
The first state-supported symphony in the country, NCS performs under the auspices of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.