Exclusive: LA Phil has new chief - Slippedisc

May 01, 2024

We hear the Los Angeles Philharmonic is about to announce a new president and chief executive.

According to our trusty mole, it's going to be Kim Noltemy, presently prez of the Dallas Symphony. UPDATE: This report has now been confirmed by all parties. It was originally scheduled for announcement on Friday.

Kim will take over from LAPO's interim CEO Daniel Song whose year in charge has been frayed by executive pay hikes and plummeting staff morale.

Before taking over Dallas in January 2018, Kim Notelmy was Chief Operating and Communications Officer for 12 years at the Boston Symphony, which has taken both of its last CEOs from the LA Phil.

Expect an announcement before Pacific sunset.

Choice Kim quote: 'It was always difficult to be a non-musician in a very specialized field like orchestra management. There are so many technical aspects to the work and so much knowledge that is innate to musicians that I had to work hard to learn. I was motivated because I wanted to be good at my job, and I knew it would be valuable for me both professionally and personally to know a lot more about music and orchestral repertoire. There were times that people made me feel stupid or silly for my lack of knowledge, but it just made me want to overcome that inexperience. It also made realize that a lot of people are intimidated or think they don't know enough to enjoy classical music. My experience helped me strategize ways that my orchestra could reach more people who did not have a musical background or play instruments, and we need new fans!'

UPDATE: Can Kim save the LA Phil?