RPO’s Interim President & CEO to Accept Position with Charleston Symphony

Rochester, NY – The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra has announced that its Interim President & CEO Janet Newcomb has accepted the position of Executive Director with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra beginning on October 1 for the opening of its season.  In a letter this morning to the RPO board, musicians and staff, RPO Board Chair Jim Boucher praised Ms. Newcomb for her “outstanding job heading up the RPO during a transitional period,” referring to her interim position following the resignation of former President & CEO Richard Nowlin last March.  Prior to that time, Ms. Newcomb had been the RPO’s Vice President of Development. 

“The RPO has been a wonderful learning experience for me,” said Ms. Newcomb.  “I’ve truly enjoyed the relationships that I’ve formed with our many constituents, and I certainly will miss seeing the Orchestra celebrate its 85th anniversary and helping lead it into the future.  But the opportunities presented by the Charleston Symphony and the pull of South Carolina were things I couldn’t pass up.”  Before coming to Rochester, Ms. Newcomb worked as Consulting Executive Director for the Metropolitan Arts Council in Greenville, South Carolina, Director of Grants for the South Carolina Arts Commission and Founding Executive Director of the Arts Council of Beaufort County, South Carolina.  She and her husband also have family in the South Carolina area.

Charles H. Owens, the RPO’s incoming President & CEO and outgoing Executive Director of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, begins his tenure on November 1.  For the month between Ms. Newcomb’s departure and Mr. Owens’ arrival, Director of Artistic Operations J. Andrew Cassano – who has worked closely with Ms. Newcomb at the RPO and with Mr. Owens in his former position at the Hartford Symphony – will step in to help oversee the RPO on a day-to day basis.  Between now and November 1, Mr. Owens will be in Rochester at various times, including attending the RPO’s Red Carpet Spectacular season opener on Saturday, October 6.
 
“I personally want to thank Jan for the dedication, time and energy she has put into this organization and for the positive influence she has had on us all,” said Boucher.  “Thanks to our strong strategic plan, we will continue to move ahead seamlessly into an outstanding new season.”