“Jennifer Barlament is the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s new executive director, a position she’s held for just over 100 days,” writes Erin Wright on Tuesday (5/3) at Atlanta radio station WABE. Barlament, who came to Atlanta from the Cleveland Orchestra, where she was general manager, “is herself a musician, as well as a symphony manager. … Barlament reflected on her first 100 days of her tenure here in Atlanta. She discussed the challenges today’s orchestras face, including the threat of audience decline…. ‘The trend that we’re seeing is that more and more people are staying home … so it’s not the arts that are the only ones that are suffering.’ Still, for every obstacle (perceived or real) an orchestra like the ASO weathers, Barlament sees instead an opportunity to learn, grow, and adapt…. She is most impressed with the ‘triumvirate of musical leaders of the Atlanta Symphony: [Music Director] Robert Spano, [Principal Guest Conductor] Donald Runnicles, and [Director of Choruses] Norman Mackenzie. These three gentlemen have not only a warmth about the way they make music, but also a warmth in the way they approach people,’ she said.” Barlament received the League of American Orchestras’ Helen M. Thompson Award in 2013 and is an alum of the League’s Orchestra Management Fellowship Program.
Posted May 5, 2016
Jennifer Barlament photo by Roger Mastroianni
