Friday, February 9, 2024 ICO Statewide Conference

Session Details

Welcome & Coffee Conversation with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra

Hear from Elgin Symphony Orchestra’s new Music Director Chad Goodman in conversation with Marc Thayer, CEO of the Elgin Symphony to discuss the relationship between executive director and conductor, the music director search, and how they are planning ESO’s future.

Session: Data-Driven Development 

Data is synonymous with audience research and building but more and more development teams are using data to help grow contributed revenue. Hear from colleagues on how development practices are evolving to better utilize data to inform strategies and set priorities.  

Participants:
Liz Heintz, Senior Director Development Operations, Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Scott Podraza, Senior Director Development, Lyric Opera of Chicago

Session: We should commission a new work. Where do we start? 

An in-depth panel discussion at the opportunities and challenges that orchestras face in continuing to commission new works. Hear about strategies artists and organizations are using to initiate a new work and gain a better understanding of how to get a collaboration started. Plus a discussion on accessing sheet music of contemporary composers. 

Participants:
Allen Tinkham, Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra
Beth Hoover, The Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest
Shawn Okpebholo, Composer, Professor of Music, Wheaton College

 

Session: The Next Gen of Orchestra Admins & Musicians: A conversation between Conservatories, hiring managers, and an executive search consultant

What are the expectations of this next generation of arts administrators? How can our organization's practices better evolve to attract and retain talent? What needs to change in our organizations to keep us competitive in this competitive market and what are recent trends we need to be aware of as we build our teams? All these topics and more as we hear from a professor, an executive search consultant and human resources specialist.

Participants:
Alan Salzenstein, Professor and Director of Performing Arts Management, DePaul University
Yoo-Jin Hong, Executive Search Lead, KEES/Alford Executive Search
Odell Mitchell III, ThirdInLine Legal, Lawyers for the Creative Arts

Session: Collaborative Momentum
Executive directors Terell Johnson and Declan McGovern share insights and discuss how their organizations chart the course for new audiences through innovative initiatives and impactful collaborations.
 
Participants:
Terell Johnson, Chicago Philharmonic
Declan McGovern, Music of the Baroque

Keynote: “Building Community” Featuring Claire Rice, Executive Director, Arts Alliance Illinois

Claire Rice is Executive Director of Arts Alliance Illinois, where she champions arts funding, arts-supportive policy change, and the integrated role of creativity across Illinois communities.  


**Schedule is subject to change