Peoria Symphony Orchestra Announces Hiring of New Executive Director Anthony Marotta

Marotta has worked for the Boulanger Initiative in Washington D.C. since 2018 and has been involved in the Greenville Symphony Orchestra since 1998.

Peoria, IL – The Peoria Symphony Orchestra (PSO) is proud to announce the hiring of the new Executive Director, Anthony Marotta, who is set to officially begin leading the PSO on Tuesday, April 26. Marotta has worked for the Boulanger Initiative in Washington D.C. since 2018 first as the Director of Development and most recently General Manager of Finance. Marotta has also actively been involved with the Greenville Symphony Orchestra located in Greenville, S.C. as a principal clarinet since 1998 and as the Director of Operations and Artistic Administration from 2004 to 2011.

“I’m very excited to be joining the team of the great Peoria Symphony Orchestra as it celebrates its 125^th anniversary. It is a privilege to serve as the Executive Director of the 14^th oldest orchestra in the United States and inherit an organization extremely well managed by Susan Hoffman, and the board of directors,” said Anthony Marotta, incoming Executive Director of the Peoria Symphony Orchestra. “I’d like to thank Maestro Stelluto, the staff, the board of directors, musicians, and the Peoria community for the warm welcome they have given me. I look forward to many exciting years of progress and great music-making.”

The PSO’s search committee worked closely with H C Smith Ltd to conduct a nationwide search which ultimately brought Marotta to the attention of the committee.

“The search committee worked very closely with H C Smith Ltd to conduct a nationwide search for the new Executive Director. This provided us with many talented candidates to choose from but ultimately the search committee and staff decided Anthony would be the ideal candidate to fill Susan’s shoes,” said Brian Buralli, Board President of the Peoria Symphony Orchestra. “Anthony’s knowledge of how internally a world-class symphony should be run and being a performer himself, we’re confident he will bring the expertise needed to keep the PSO running at the level of excellence we’ve cultivated over the last 124 years and propel us into the future.”

“I’m thrilled that Anthony will be joining that PSO. He brings a wealth of professional experience to Peoria and I’m looking forward to collaborating with him on setting the groundwork for the PSO’s next 125 years,” said Maestro George Stelluto, Music Director of the Peoria Symphony Orchestra. “These are exciting times for this orchestra, and the fresh perspective and energy Anthony will bring to the PSO adds a great deal to that excitement!”

“Anthony brings many skills which will help him be a great leader for the PSO. With his knowledge of finances, fundraising, and being a performer himself, I have confidence that the transition of Executive Director will be smooth and seamless,” said Susan Hoffman, Executive Director of the Peoria Symphony Orchestra. “I wish him the very best as he begins leading the PSO in this next chapter.”

Anthony Marotta Bio

Anthony Marotta is finishing his final season as principal clarinetist of the Greenville Symphony Orchestra after twenty-four years of performances. In addition to his performing role, he currently serves on the orchestra board’s executive committee and was the former director of operations and artistic administration from 2004-to 2011. He has also held musical posts as principal clarinet of the Augusta Symphony Orchestra, associate principal clarinet of the Filarmonica de Queretaro (Mexico), principal clarinetist of the Long Bay Symphony Orchestra, and clarinetist with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago.

As an advocate and passionate promoter of new music and diversity, Marotta has been in leadership positions with Boulanger Initiative as both the general manager of finance and director of development. This Washington, DC-based organization promotes music composed by women through performances, education, and commissions. During his tenure with the Greenville Symphony, Marotta facilitated the commissions of two original works. One-piece was by Mark Kilstofte, Rome Prize winner, to celebrate the orchestra’s sixtieth anniversary and the other was a double bass concerto by celebrated and critically acclaimed composer John Harbison. Under his leadership with Carolina Chamber Players, the organization commissioned three original works by renowned South Carolina composer, Gordon “Dick” Goodwin.

Marotta has been an active performer and administrator of chamber music for much of his career. He was the artistic director and executive director of the Carolina Chamber Players from 1996-2000 and was also a member of the Ventus Wind Quintet, which toured throughout Mexico. He received years of training in chamber music with members of the Cleveland Orchestra at the Blossom Music Festival in Cleveland, OH, in Chicago with members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and in Los Angeles, CA with members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Marotta has performed extensively with the internationally acclaimed Miro string quartet, including performances of Brahms’ quintet for clarinet and strings and Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time. He has performed Mozart’s quintet for clarinet and strings with famed cellist Lynn Harrel. Additionally, he served as the creative director and host of the Greenville Symphony Orchestra’s “Spotlight” chamber music series from 2005-to 2010.

As a soloist, Marotta has performed concertos with several orchestras throughout the country, including nine separate engagements with the Greenville Symphony. Most notable was the 2005 performance of Mozart’s clarinet concerto with the Greenville Symphony Chamber Orchestra. That performance was included in a commemorative recording to celebrate Mozart’s 250th birthday.

In 2010, Marotta was asked to be a founding partner in charge of recruiting and marketing for a startup healthcare IT consulting firm called Blue Cirrus Consulting. This position he held until 2015. The company continues to be a great success and is now a national leader in telehealth. Becker’s hospital review has named Blue Cirrus Consulting as a “top telehealth company to know” for four consecutive years.

As a music educator, Marotta has served on the faculties of Furman University, Clemson University, the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts & Humanities, Benedict College, Claflin University, and Camp Encore/Coda in Sweden, Maine.

Marotta is a graduate of the Interlochen Arts Academy, where he studied with Richard MacDowell. He received a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University, where he studied with Robert Marcellus, and a master’s degree from the University of South Carolina where he studied with Doug Graham. His other primary teachers include Mark Nuccio () and Louis Baez (San Francisco Symphony).

Download the official press release.

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You can stay informed about the PSO by visiting peoriasymphony.org, the PSO’s Facebook page (facebook.com/peoriasymphony), as well as our Twitter and Instagram accounts (@peoriasymphony).

Founded in 1897, the Peoria Symphony Orchestra (PSO) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, not-for-profit organization whose mission is to entertain, educate, and inspire through music. The PSO presents excellent live musical performances, innovative music education programs, and engaging community outreach efforts, which significantly impact central Illinois’s cultural and economic vitality.

For media inquiries or more information: MacKenzie Taylor, Director of Marketing and Communications, Peoria Symphony Orchestra. Email: mtaylor@peoriasymphony.org // Direct line: 309.495.0563