Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra announces central Pa. native as new executive director

Matthew Herren

Matthew Herren has been selected to be the new executive director of the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra

A new executive director will take charge at the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra this summer.

The organization has announced that Matthew Herren will begin as executive director starting on June 15. Herren grew up in Lancaster before attending The Juilliard School, where he earned Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in Cello Performance. He has also worked with the symphony before, though it was as a performer.

“I am honored by the opportunity to work for such a celebrated orchestra," Herren said in a press release. “As a young cellist, I played in the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra and feel like I am returning home. I am eager to begin working with an award-winning team including Maestro Stuart Malina, the hard-working staff and board, and the exceptional musicians of the HSO.”

Herren has served as executive director of the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas since 2014, and prior to that worked in the administration of the Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission in Lawrence, Kansas and the Helicon Foundation in New York City.

“It is a testament to the artistic quality of our orchestra, the strength of our board and administration, and the quality of life in the Harrisburg area that we are able to bring Matthew’s caliber and experience back to the region,” said Stuart Malina, HSO Music Director, in a press release. “As we recognize our 90th anniversary, I look forward to working with Matthew to build an even stronger future for the HSO.”

The current executive director, Jeff Woodruff, has announced he will be retiring at the end of the 2019-2020 season. Woodruff was recently honored by Theatre Harrisburg for his contributions to the arts community of the Harrisburg region.

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