OUR PEOPLE
Violin I
Concertmaster
The Annabelle Lundy Fetterman Chair
Assistant Concertmaster
The Jessie Wyatt Ethridge Chair
The Richard and Joy Cook Chair
The Governor James B. Hunt, Jr. Chair
The Tom and Mary Mac Bradshaw Chair
The Harvey At-Large Chair
The Phyllis (“Pat”) Conrad Wells Chair
The James C. Byrd and Family Chair
The J. Felix Arnold Chair
Violin II
The Nancy Finch Wallace Chair
Assistant Principal
Viola
Principal
The Florence Spinks and Charles Jacob Cate and Alma Yondorf and Sylvan Hirschberg Chair
Assistant Principal
The J. Sidney Kirk Chair
The Samuel H. and Anne Latham Johnson Chair
Cello
Anonymously Endowed
The Nell Hirschberg Chair
The William Charles Rankin Chair
The Sara Wilson Hodgkins Chair
The Secretary of Cultural Resources Betty Ray McCain Chair
Double Bass
The Mark W. McClure Foundation Chair
The Harllee H. and Pauline G. Jobe Chair
The John C. and Margaret P. Parker Chair
Flute
The Jack and Sing Boddie Chair
Piccolo
The Jean Dunn Williams Chair
Oboe
The Clarence and Alice Aycock Poe Chair
English Horn
The Bruce and Margaret King Chair
Clarinet
Bassoon
French Horn
The James Marion Poyner Chair
The Roger Colson and Bobbi Lyon Hackett Chair
The Mary Susan Kirk Fulghum Chair
Trumpet
Trombone
Bass Trombone
Anonymously Endowed
Tuba
Timpani
Percussion
Organ
The Albert and Susan Jenkins and Family Organ Chair
Library
Principal Orchestra Librarian
The Mary Colvert and Banks C. Talley Chair
Assistant Orchestra Librarian
*Acting position
**Leave of absence
Carlos Miguel Prieto, Music Director
The Maxine and Benjamin Swalin Chair
Mexican conductor and Grammy-winner Carlos Miguel Prieto started his tenure as Music Director of the North Carolina Symphony at the beginning of the 2023/24 season.
From 2007 to 2022, Prieto was Music Director of the Orquesta SinfĂłnica Nacional de MĂ©xico. In 2023 he received the Fine Arts Medal, Mexico’s highest honor for a musician. He was Music Director of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra from 2006 to 2023, where he helped lead the cultural renewal of New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina and won a Grammy in 2024. In 2008, he was appointed Music Director of the Orquesta SinfĂłnica de MinerĂa (OSM), which he has led to a Latin Grammy nomination, a Grammy award, and a residence in 2024 at Bravo! Vail.
Prieto is in demand as a guest conductor for orchestras including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra; the symphony orchestras of Atlanta, Dallas, and Toronto; The Cleveland Orchestra and Minnesota Orchestra; and the San Francisco, Houston, and New World symphonies. He made his BBC Proms debut in 2023 and led the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl in 2024. Recent engagements include the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Frankfurt Radio Symphony, Spanish National Orchestra, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, and Auckland Philharmonia.
Since 2002 Prieto has conducted the Orchestra of the Americas, which draws young musicians from the entire American continent—serving as Principal Conductor until 2011, when he was appointed Music Director. He has also worked with young musicians at The Juilliard School, the Colburn School, the Curtis Institute, and elsewhere, and leads the Carlos Miguel Prieto Conducting Fellowship at OAcademy, an online conservatory bringing together teachers and students from around the world. He has also worked with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain and conducted both the National Youth Orchestra-USA and NYO2 at Carnegie Hall.
Prieto has conducted over 100 world premieres of works by Mexican and American composers, many commissioned by him. He places equal importance on championing works by Black and African American composers such as Florence Price, Margaret Bonds, and Courtney Bryan, among others.
Prieto has an extensive discography and was recognized by Musical America as Conductor of the Year in 2019. He is a graduate of Princeton and Harvard universities.
Grant Llewellyn, Music Director Laureate
Grant Llewellyn served as North Carolina Symphony’s Music Director for sixteen seasons and now holds the title of Music Director Laureate.
Grant Llewellyn is renowned for his exceptional charisma, energy, and easy authority in music of all styles and periods. He concluded his tenure as Music Director of the Orchestre National de Bretagne (ONB) in 2023 after eight years.
Llewellyn’s guest engagements have included the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Helsinki Philharmonic, Philharmonia Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and Royal Scottish National Orchestra, among others. He has conducted widely across North America, most notably The Philadelphia Orchestra and the symphony orchestras of Atlanta, Boston, Houston, Milwaukee, Montreal, St. Louis, and Toronto. During his time as Music Director of the Handel and Haydn Society, America’s leading period orchestra, Llewellyn gained a reputation as a formidable interpreter of music of the baroque and classical periods.
Notable recordings with the North Carolina Symphony include American Spectrum, featuring 20th century works with the saxophonist Branford Marsalis, and Britten’s Cello Symphony and Prokofiev’s Sinfonia Concertante with the cellist Zuill Bailey. He recently recorded a disc of Lowell Liebermann’s orchestral works with the BBC Symphony Orchestra.
Deeply committed and passionate about engaging young people with music, Llewellyn regularly leads education and outreach projects; in 2017 he led the first ever “relaxed” BBC Prom with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, a concert specially designed for those with autism, sensory and communication impairments, and learning disabilities.
Born in Tenby, South Wales, Llewellyn won a Conducting Fellowship to the Tanglewood Music Center in Massachusetts in 1985, where he worked with Bernstein, Ozawa, Masur, and Previn.
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. Joe Bastian, Chair, Chapel Hill
Dr. Wm. Charles Helton, Vice Chair, Raleigh
Mr. Terry L. Stevens, Treasurer, Raleigh
Mr. David Haines, Assistant Treasurer, Cary
Ms. Rosemary Gill Kenyon, Secretary, Raleigh
Mr. Don Davis, Past Chair, Raleigh
Ms. Sandi M. A. Macdonald, President & CEO, Raleigh
Ms. Deborah M. Aiken, Wake Forest
Dr. Tim Altman**, Garner
Mr. Chip Anderson*, Raleigh
Ms. Stephanie Bass, Clayton
Dr. Trude R. Bate, Cary
Ms. Denise S. Bennett, Raleigh
Mr. Jud Bowman, Durham
Ms. Patty Briguglio, Raleigh
The Honorable Roy Cooper*, Raleigh
Mr. Jeffrey A. Corbett, Raleigh
Dr. Roy Cromartie, Raleigh
Mr. Courtney Crowder, Raleigh
Mr. Jim Datin, Chapel Hill
Mr. Richard L. Daugherty, Raleigh
Mr. Keith Donahue**, Raleigh
Dr. Robert N. Eby, Chapel Hill
Mr. James C. Gulick**, Raleigh
Mrs. Elaine Bryant Hayes, Fayetteville
Ms. Kristen Hess, Raleigh
Mr. Richard E. Hinson, Chapel Hill
Mr. Kevin Howell**, Raleigh
Mr. L. Dwain Joyce*, Fayetteville
Mrs. Cecelia Eckert Kennedy, Apex
Dr. Robert Lacin, Raleigh
Dr. Mark Leithe, Raleigh
Rev. Dr. Christie Mabry, Raleigh
Mrs. Dawn MacLaren, Raleigh
Mr. Robert MacNeill, Jr., Raleigh
Mr. Branford Marsalis, Durham
Mrs. Louise A. Miller, Raleigh
Mr. James Morgan, Raleigh
Ms. Lori O’Keefe, Wake Forest
Ms. Rebecca Quinn-Wolf, Raleigh
Dr. Ramachandra P. Reddy, Cary
Ms. Donna Rhode, Cary
Mr. Jason Smith, Raleigh
Mrs. Tracey Fodor Smith (deceased), Farmville
Mr. David Sontag, Chapel Hill
Mrs. Linda J. Staunch*, New Bern
Mr. M. Gray Styers, Jr., Greensboro
Ms. Sandy Sully, Cary
Ms. Alison Trapp, Chapel Hill
The Honorable Catherine Truitt*, Cary
Mr. Dereck Whittenburg, Raleigh
Secretary D. Reid Wilson*, Raleigh
Mrs. Darliene S. Woolner, Cary
*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 (deceased) – 2015 Inductee
Mr. Edward O. Woolner (deceased) – 2016 Inductee
Mrs. Florence Peacock – 2022 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. Chip Anderson, President, Raleigh
Col. Matt Segal, Treasurer, Cary
Ms. Dianne C. Sellers, Secretary, Raleigh
Ms. Catharine Biggs Arrowood, Raleigh
Mr. Joe Bastian*, Chapel Hill
Mr. Richard L. Daugherty, Raleigh
Dr. Wm. Charles Helton, Raleigh
Mr. Bill Hodges, Raleigh
Mr. D. S. (Steve) Hodges, Durham
Dr. Ted Kunstling, Raleigh
Mr. Robert Loweth, Wilmington
Dr. Emily Mann Peck, Raleigh
Mrs. Ashley Matlock Perkinson, Raleigh
Dr. Shaler Stidham, Jr., Raleigh
Mr. Larry Wilson, Raleigh
*Ex Officio Member
North Carolina Symphony Chapter Boards
Craven County
Linda J. Staunch, President
Nancy Alexander
M.J. Bertsch
Susan Braaten
Dr. Jim Congleton
Tahira Copeland
Philip Evancho
Hannah B. French
Dr. Dwight Grady
Cille Griffith
John Haroldson
Drew Honeycutt
Christopher McCrudden
Champ Mitchell
Dr. Joe Overby
Luana Palimetakis
Lauren Quinn
Pat Rowlett
Karen M. Skipper
Dawn D. Staats
Cindy Turco
Cumberland County
Mr. L. Dwain Joyce, President
Mr. Worth Smith, Vice President
Mrs. Alisa Evans Debnam
Mr. Chima Enwere
Ms. Andretta Hales
Mrs. Elaine Bryant Hayes
Ms. Andrea Kelly
Ms. Ashley Martin
Mr. Calvin Mims
Mr. Alec Powers
Edgecombe County
Ann Warren, President
Nettie Williams, Vice President
Becky Johnson, Secretary
Joy Chafin
Doneva Chavis
Kerrie Clayton
Joshua Dumbleton
Ronnie Ellis
Carol Ferri
Eric Greene
Dr. Gregory McLeod
Johanna Owens
Nina Rountree
Angie Ruffin
Katie Schultz
Theresa Scott
Dave Sharpe
Suzanne Sharpe
Jessie Thorne
Joe White
Moore County
Ginger Minichiello, President
Deb Swanson, Secretary
Luke Arno
Judy Casey
Chris Dunn*
Lydia Gill
Audrey Kessler
Marie Riedesel
Elaine Sills*
*Honorary Member
Onslow County
Earl Taylor, President
Susan Edwards, Vice-President
Lyndsay Russell, Secretary
Michelle Baker
Meredith Best
Joli Brooks
Dr. Erin Chaney
Pat Collins
Sally Figowy
Gloria Goodwin
Carolyn Harrod
Dr. Katy Kazel
Dr. Robert Kell
Vickie Kell
Catharine Koonce
Korene Marsh
Robin Moore
Marta Oyan
Dr. Lisa Peele
Marjorie Tredwell
TRUSTEE LISTS CURRENT AS OF APRIL 30, 2024
President’s Office
Sandi M.A. Macdonald – President & CEO
Stephen Thompson – Executive Assistant to the President & CEO
Artistic Operations
Donald Tippett – Vice President of Orchestra Operations
Samantha Gallup – Operations Manager
Hsing-I Ho – Director of Orchestra Personnel
Chris Moore – Stage Manager
José Muñiz – Artistic Coordinator
Bo Osborne – Production Manager
Mary Shannon – Orchestra Personnel Coordinator
Kerry Smith – Assistant Vice President of Artistic Planning
Jason Spencer – Director of Education
Taylor Troyer – Assistant Orchestra Librarian
Stephanie Wilson – Principal Orchestra Librarian (The Mary Colvert and Banks C. Talley Chair)
Finance & Administration
Robert Schiller – Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration & CFO
Carol Brown – Accounting & Payroll Manager
Tiffany Debnam – Database & Fulfillment Manager
Tiffany Haddock – Director of Human Resources & Business Systems
Doe Lee – Information Processing and Database Coordinator
Stan Williams – Public Affairs Contractor
Jan Zimmermann – Assistant Vice President of Finance
Marketing & Audience Development
Linda Charlton – Vice President for Marketing & Audience Development
Jennifer Blackman – Graphic Designer
Ashley Blankenship – Senior Director of Marketing & Sales
Rebecca Doel – Digital Sales & Engagement Manager
Maria H. Ewing – Director of Advertising & Corporate Partnerships
Andrew Gouck – Assistant Box Office Manager
Arianna Gulisano – Box Office Manager
Richard Hess – Communications Project Manager
Graham Jones – Box Office Associate
Jessica Story-Johnson – Box Office Associate
Erin Thompson – Box Office Associate
Jim Vestal – Box Office Associate
Emma Wall – Assistant Vice President of Marketing & Sales
Keith Wood – Box Office Associate
Philanthropy
Lisa Ransom – Vice President of Philanthropy
Riley Bennett – Institutional Giving Coordinator
Rebecca Gunn – Assistant Vice President of Philanthropy
Emily Wilbourne – Leadership Giving Manager
Auditions
Concertmaster
Preliminary/Semi-final Auditions: January 26-27, 2025
Final Auditions: January 27, 2025
The audition will take place at the North Carolina Symphony’s home, Meymandi Concert Hall, in downtown Raleigh. All rounds will be screened except for the designated Unscreened Final Round. Musicians taking this audition should only do so with the intention of accepting the position if it is offered.
The repertoire list can be found here when it becomes available.
TO APPLY
Please click here to submit your one-page resume as a PDF attachment. Resumes submitted otherwise will not be accepted.
Applications must be received by December 1, 2024.
ABOUT THE POSITION
The 2024/25 season is 40 weeks, plus 18 optional summer services at the position per-service rate. The base salary of the North Carolina Symphony is $1,697.50/week ($67,900 annual/40 wks, excluding overscale, EMG, and ancillary payments). Benefits include 9% employer retirement contribution – 403 (b), medical, life and instrument insurance.
Intended employment to begin in the 2025-2026 season, or at the earliest mutually agreed upon date, with satisfactory USCIS employment eligibility verification at the start and throughout the duration of employment.
Second Oboe
Preliminary/Semi-final Auditions: September 21-22, 2024
Final Auditions: September 23, 2024
The audition will take place at the North Carolina Symphony’s home, Meymandi Concert Hall, in downtown Raleigh. All rounds will be screened. Musicians taking this audition should only do so with the intention of accepting the position if it is offered.
Updated 7.5.2024. Please check back frequently as repertoire list is subject to updates.
TO APPLY
Please click here to submit your one-page resume as a PDF attachment. Resumes submitted otherwise will not be accepted.
Applications must be received by July 19, 2024.
ABOUT THE POSITION
The 2024/25 season is 40 weeks, plus 18 optional summer services at the position per-service rate. The current contract agreement runs through June 2024, and the minimum salary for section position is $1,589.95/week ($65,018 annual/40 wks, including EMG). Updated salary information will be posted on NCS audition website once the new contract agreement goes into effect. Benefits include 9% employer retirement contribution – 403 (b), medical, life and instrument insurance.
Intended employment to begin in January 2025, or at the earliest mutually agreed upon date, with satisfactory USCIS employment eligibility verification.
Administrative positions
Donor Relations Coordinator
Immediate Opening
THE POSITION
The Donor Relations Coordinator coordinates all fundraising events and stewardship initiatives while meeting deadlines and being mindful of patrons’ needs, helps the department achieve revenue and patron value goals, ensures effective and timely communication between the department and key internal and external stakeholders, and provides high level administrative support in all areas of work assignments
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
FUNDRAISING AND DONOR BENEFIT EVENTS
With the guidance of the Vice President of Philanthropy and the Assistant VP of Philanthropy, coordinate and help execute all fundraising, donor benefit, cultivation, stewardship, recognition, and sponsor events.
- Make arrangements for donor rooms at concert venues including contracts and communications with vendors for reservations, catering, set-up, flowers, and chocolates
- Coordinate master Philanthropy events calendar in coordination with other departments; keep all departments updated on events; and provide FAQ and event details to Box Office Manager
- Coordinate events budgets and reconcile budgets after events; track event and donor room expenses, and ensure invoices are paid and recorded
- Help coordinate event logistics and production, including catering and external vendors, to ensure event expectations are met
- Create timelines and internal and external event briefings, and consistently meet deadlines
- Work with Philanthropy staff and Database and Fulfillment Manager to request and acquire data-informed invitation lists and to track event attendance in database
- Draft copy for event invitations and collateral; prepare project request forms for invitations, sponsor signage and collateral; ensure the editing and approval process meets timelines
- Print invitations, envelopes, name tags, signage, event programs, and other collateral
- Track and manage event RSVPs, schedule eblast event reminders, create acknowledgement letter language, and send “What to Know” emails to event participants
- Help coordinate day-of event execution
- Coordinate event follow-up plans
- Coordinate event debriefing meetings, track feedback, and recommend future improvements
- Keep abreast of other community events that would be of interest to our donors and look for potential conflicts regarding event dates and times
STEWARDSHIP
With the guidance of the Assistant Vice President of Philanthropy and the Director of Annual Giving, coordinate and help execute all stewardship projects, donor benefits arrangements, and donor communications
- Facilitate donor benefits arrangements including Open Rehearsal planning and communication, VIP parking, and donor room passes, and other individual donor benefits
- Coordinate stewardship mailings including the Thank You Note project, Report to the Community mailing, and holiday card
- Respond to donor requests including ticket exchanges, donations, and stock transfer information, and assist with benefits fulfillment and other VIP needs
- Coordinate special donor communications regarding donor benefits and events
- Organize and maintain files of Philanthropy photos and coordinate selecting photos for fundraising projects, events, and publications
ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT
- Maintain inventory of invitation, cardstock, postage stamps, letterhead, envelopes, and events supplies for department needs
- Schedule Philanthropy team meetings; prepare agendas and fundraising dashboards
- Track budgeting and expenditures for department needs; process invoices
- Assist with the development and/or preparation of printed and digital materials, solicitation letters, proposals, funder reports, meeting information, and other products in support of the department’s work
- Ensure letters, proposals, and reports are copied, filed, and mailed in a timely manner; maintain thorough and accurate hard-copy and digital donor files
- Enter contact memos and assist with keeping the donor database current and accurate
- Serve as back-up to the Executive Assistant to the President & CEO as needed
- Perform concert duty and other responsibilities or assignments as needed
QUALIFICATIONS
- At least one year of fundraising or non-profit experience
- Strong interpersonal, relationship, and customer service skills
- Strong planning and organizational abilities and excellent attention to detail
- Ability to function at a high level under deadline pressure in a fast-paced environment
- Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously, taking responsibility for the completion of each by its respective deadline
- Excellent judgement and professionalism in dealing with people, being collaborative, responsive and supportive
- Self-motivated and enthusiastic with ability to work independently
- Team-oriented, flexible, positive, personable, and willing to learn
- Professional appearance and demeanor
- Ability to support and implement the mission, vision and values of the North Carolina Symphony; knowledge of, and interest in, orchestral music or performing arts
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, desktop publishing, and Zoom
- Ability to travel and work outside traditional office hours
- Bachelor’s degree required
Because driving between worksites and to various locations may be a central function of the position, administrative staff must maintain a valid driver’s license and have reliable transportation.
The North Carolina Symphony values diversity in backgrounds and experiences. Individuals are encouraged to apply even if they do not meet every requirement. We expect that the ideal candidate will exhibit many of the listed requirements, skills, and competencies. We also consider a combination of experience, proficiency, and transferrable skills when considering a position submission.
This is a full-time salaried position based in the Triangle region of North Carolina. The salary is
$42,000-$45,000. The North Carolina Symphony is currently operating on a hybrid work structure with onsite and remote work (after first 90 days). The benefits package includes health insurance through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, long-term disability coverage, life insurance, an employee assistance program and voluntary vision and dental insurance. Enrollees in our optional 403(b) retirement plan receive an employer match and our Health Savings Account offering provides a bi-annual employer contribution.
TO APPLY
Email cover letter, resume, three references, and a writing sample (solicitation, proposal, or stewardship report) to:
Rebecca Gunn, Assistant Vice President of Philanthropy
humanresources@ncsymphony.org
No phone calls please
No phone calls, please
About the North Carolina Symphony
The North Carolina Symphony 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.
THE AREA
The Symphony’s home base of Raleigh is the state’s capital, located in the Piedmont (central) region of North Carolina. Raleigh is the largest city in a 3,500-square mile metropolitan area known as the Triangle (Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill) and is among the fastest-growing cities in the US. Raleigh is located approximately 140 miles from the Appalachian highlands and 130 miles from the Atlantic Coast, making the ease of a day trip to the mountains or the beach a unique benefit of living here. Located within the area is Research Triangle Park, home to several corporate and regional headquarters: Fidelity Investments, Duke Health, IBM, Red Hat, SAS, GlaxoSmithKline, and Cisco all have large presences, to name a few.
The home of many creative and well-educated citizens, Raleigh has been lauded as a “Best City for Business and Careers” by Fortune magazine and a “Best Place to Live in America” by Money magazine. It provides its people and businesses with a world-class combination of economic vitality, low unemployment, tremendous educational opportunity, environmental quality, and exceptional quality of life. The park system offers a vast network of recreational greenway trails that connect neighborhoods, and the housing market continues to be strong compared to national averages.
Thirteen institutions of higher education provide affordable and premium educational opportunities for adult and extension classes and a well-educated citizenry of students, graduates, and faculty. The Triangle is also an area of tremendous resources where cultural and performing arts organizations thrive. Other major institutions include the North Carolina Museum of Art, North Carolina Museum of History, Carolina Ballet, North Carolina Opera, American Dance Festival, Ackland Art Museum, Nasher Art Museum, Marbles Kids Museum, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Morehead Planetarium, and Carolina Performing Arts at UNC-Chapel Hill. There are film, music, dance and crafts festivals, local theater groups and touring Broadway shows. Raleigh is also the current home of the IBMA World of Bluegrass Festival.
The Triangle is also a vital sports center. It is host to the NHL’s Stanley Cup-winning Carolina Hurricanes, minor league baseball’s Durham Bulls, and the sports programs of ACC members Duke University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and North Carolina State University.