RPO Announces New Board Chair

Rochester, NY – The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra is pleased to announce that James M. Boucher has been appointed as Chairperson of the Board of Directors, effective December 1, 2006. He succeeds Ingrid Stanlis – Board Chair since September 2004 – who has been transferred to New York City for her work at KPMG. 

“I’m very excited to take on this new position as Chair of the RPO Board of Directors,” says Boucher. “The entire Board is indebted to Ingrid Stanlis for setting such a high standard for this position, and I’m honored to follow her very capable lead.” Ms. Stanlis was appointed to the RPO Board in January 2001, and was elected as Chair in 2004. Her many accomplishments included leading the organization through its historic year-long visioning and strategic planning process.

James Boucher has served in numerous capacities for the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. Elected to the RPO Board of Directors in January 2002, he has served as a Vice Chair since September 2003. Mr. Boucher has played an active role in fund-raising, having served for three years as Development Chair, and for two years as Co-Chair of the Major Gifts Campaign. He also served as a member of the Special Events Committee for the RPO’s 2006 Symphony Showhouse. After almost five years with the organization, Boucher has gotten a tremendous appreciation for the relationship between the Orchestra and the community. “Rochester is fortunate to have one of the greatest and most versatile orchestras in the country,” says Boucher, “and we will continue striving to inspire and enrich our community through the art of music.”
 
A graduate of St. Lawrence University, Mr. Boucher has been at Caldwell Manufacturing Company for 25 years, advancing in management positions to his present position as Chairman of the Board, after serving five years as President.  In addition, he is a member of the Advisory Board of Pittsford Youth Services, and formerly served as a board member of Rochester Business Alliance, the Rochester Museum & Science, and the Southeast YMCA.  He has volunteered in various capacities for the United Way and Wilson Commencement Park. 

Now in its 84th season, the RPO inspires and enriches the community through the art of music.  The Orchestra is passionately dedicated to outstanding musical performance at the highest artistic levels, and has a unique tradition of musical versatility, commitment to music education in the broadest sense and a deep and enduring engagement with the community.  The RPO has been honored with the New York State Governor’s Arts Award, and two ASCAP awards for adventurous programming in recent years.

RPO performances are made possible in part with grants from the National Endowment for the Arts; the New York State Council on the Arts, a State Agency; the State of New York; Monroe County; the City of Rochester; and American Airlines, the official airline of the RPO.

Note: A digital photo of Mr. Boucher is available, as is an interview.