Philadelphia Orchestra Association Names Katherine Blodgett Vice President For Public Relations And Communications

The Philadelphia Orchestra Association has named Katherine Blodgett vice president for public relations and communications, it was announced today by Association Executive Director and CEO Frank Slattery.

Ms. Blodgett, who presently serves as director of public/media relations for The Philadelphia Orchestra Association, will start in her new position July 1, 2009. She has been member of the
Association’s staff since 2001 when she was hired as assistant director of public relations.  In her new role as a member of the Association’s senior management, Ms. Blodgett will work closely with
that team and Executive Director and CEO Frank Slattery to direct institutional strategic communications.

“I am extremely pleased to announce the appointment of Katherine Blodgett to this position,” said Philadelphia Orchestra Association Executive Director and CEO Frank Slattery. “Her extraordinary
experience and unwavering dedication to the Orchestra and its mission have proven to be an invaluable asset to our organization.”

“I am honored to have this opportunity to serve this great Orchestra in a new and expanded role,” said Ms. Blodgett. “I look forward to working collaboratively with my colleagues to continue to bring the music making of our world class musicians to audiences in Philadelphia, the United States, and the world.”

Ms. Blodgett will also serve as interim vice president of marketing following the announced departure of J. Edward Cambron, who was recently appointed executive director of the Kimmel Center Festival.

Katherine Blodgett joined The Philadelphia Orchestra Association in 2001 as the assistant director of public relations and became director of public/media relations in 2002. She currently holds primary responsibility for public relations activities for The Philadelphia Orchestra and Peter Nero and the Philly Pops®.

During her time with The Philadelphia Orchestra Association, Ms. Blodgett has successfully managed numerous public relations campaigns, including the opening of the Kimmel Center, the launch of a new music director, labor negotiations, the announcement of new recording and
broadcast contracts, the appointment of a new president, and the launch of the Philadelphia Orchestra Online Music Store, among others. She has also managed publicity and communications around six international and three domestic tours.

Prior to her appointment in Philadelphia, Ms. Blodgett served as executive director of the Mallarmé Chamber Players in Durham, North Carolina; public relations director of the Everson Museum of Art in Syracuse, New York; and public relations manager of the Syracuse Symphony.

A graduate of William Smith College, Ms. Blodgett began her career as director of student activities at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, New York.

Founded in 1900, The Philadelphia Orchestra has distinguished itself as one of the leading orchestras in the world through a century of acclaimed performances, historic international tours, best-selling recordings, and its unprecedented record of innovation in recording technologies and outreach. The Orchestra has maintained an unparalleled unity in artistic leadership with only seven music directors throughout its history: Fritz Scheel (1900-07), Carl Pohlig (1907-12), Leopold Stokowski (1912-41), Eugene Ormandy (1936-80), Riccardo Muti (1980-92), Wolfgang Sawallisch (1993-2003), and Christoph Eschenbach (2003-08).

This rich tradition is carried on by Charles Dutoit, who was appointed chief conductor and artistic adviser of The Philadelphia Orchestra from the 2008-09 season through the 2011-12 season. Mr. Dutoit has a long-standing relationship with the Orchestra, having made his debut with The Ensemble in 1980. Highlights of his first season include the Opening Night Concert, featuring pianist Martha Argerich; performances of Berlioz’s Romeo and Juliet and Requiem, part of Mr. Dutoit’s four-year focus on the works of that composer; the U.S. premiere of Krzysztof Penderecki’s Concerto grosso No. 1 for three cellos, part of the Orchestra’s celebration of Mr. Penderecki’s 75th birthday; and Honegger’s Symphony No. 3 (“Liturgical”). During his tenure, Mr.
Dutoit will also focus on the music of the Ballets Russes, beginning in the 2008-09 season with performances of Stravinsky’s complete music to The Firebird.

Recent Philadelphia Orchestra highlights include the opening of the Orchestra’s Online Music Store, www.thephiladelphiaorchestra.com; regular broadcasts on NPR; a series of critically acclaimed recordings led by Mr. Eschenbach and released in partnership with Ondine Records; and a $125 million endowment campaign.

The Philadelphia Orchestra annually touches the lives of more than one million music lovers worldwide through its performances, publications, recordings, and broadcasts. The Orchestra presents a subscription season in Philadelphia each year from September to May, in addition to
education and community partnership programs, and appears annually at Carnegie Hall. Its summer schedule includes an outdoor series at Philadelphia’s Mann Center for the Performing Arts, free Neighborhood Concerts, and residencies at the Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival and
the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in upstate New York.

For more information about The Philadelphia Orchestra, visit www.philorch.org.

Photo by Jessica Griffin