WVSO's Shiva Shafii accepted to Essentials of Orchestra Management Seminar

Shiva Shafii
Sara Myers Photography

Shiva Shafii, the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra’s Marketing Director, is 1 of just 30 orchestra administrators selected nationwide to participate in the League of American Orchestras (LOAO) Essentials of Orchestra Management, an immersive ten-day seminar which prepares emerging orchestra managers to lead successfully in the 21st century. The LOAO describes the program as an in-depth overview of orchestra management that builds career networks, and provides an unprecedented view of what is necessary to become an innovative and successful leader in the arts.

WVSO President Joe Tackett commented, “We are so proud that Shiva will be representing the WVSO and the entire state of West Virginia at this seminar. Executives from around the country will see her as a symbol of a new generation of Arts Administrators. While gaining valuable knowledge, she will be showing that West Virginia has much to share.”

The invited faculty include innovative leaders, including Brent Assink, executive director of the San Francisco Symphony; Deborah Borda, president of the Los Angeles Philharmonic; Simon Woods, president & CEO, Seattle Symphony; Bruce Coppock, CEO (retired), The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra; Michael Morgan, music director & conductor, Oakland Symphony; Kenneth Foster, director of USC’s Arts Leadership program; top consultants and funders, and staff and board members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, San Diego Symphony, among others.

Essentials of Orchestra Management will be held in Los Angeles, California from July 12-21 in 2016, and is presented in association by the League of American Orchestras with University of Southern California’s Arts Leadership program (ARTL) and is hosted by USC Thornton School of Music. Since its inception in 2000, over 400 emerging leaders have participated in Essentials of Orchestra Management, including many who now hold key leadership positions in major orchestras.

The League of American Orchestras leads, supports, and champions America’s orchestras and the vitality of the music they perform. Its diverse membership of approximately 800 orchestras across North America runs the gamut from world-renowned symphonies to community orchestras, from summer festivals to student and youth ensembles. The only national organization dedicated solely to the orchestral experience, the League is a nexus of knowledge and innovation, advocacy, and leadership advancement for managers, musicians, volunteers, and boards. Its conferences and events, award-winning Symphony magazine, website, and other publications inform music lovers around the world about orchestral activity and developments. Founded in 1942 and chartered by Congress in 1962, the League links a national network of thousands of instrumentalists, conductors, managers and administrators, board members, volunteers, and business partners. Visitamericanorchestras.org to learn more.

The University of Southern California’s Arts Leadership program (ARTL) is designed for individuals engaged in any arts discipline who recognize that the rapidly changing world of the 21st century requires a new set of leadership skills. The multidisciplinary graduate program for artists, arts administrators and cultural workers develops the skills necessary to become successful leaders in the arts. The program is highly individualized in its approach, with emphases on research, discovery, theory and current practice. Hosted by the USC Thornton School of Music in collaboration with the USC Price School of Public Policy, USC Kaufman School of Dance, USC Roski School of Art and Design and USC Fisher Museum of Art, ARTL is available as a one-year Graduate Certificate program designed for working professionals or a two-year Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree. Visit usc.edu/ARTL to learn more.

The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra is West Virginia’s premier performing arts organization, presenting classical, pops, and chamber-music concerts annually throughout the Mountain State. Currently in its 77th season, the WVSO is a proud member of the community and enriches the region by providing affordable, high-quality concerts, collaborations with West Virginia arts organizations and a nationally award-winning education program.