Arizona Philharmonic recently completed its organizational transition of executive level staff by creating a new role, Artistic Director, to complement the existing role of Executive Director. While both roles are that of director within a performing arts organization, the nuances of each staff member fulfill important duties and responsibilities to help Arizona Philharmonic continue to grow and support the increases in programming and outreach. Performing arts nonprofits—like Arizona Philharmonic—rely on the diversity of these roles to help the organization run smoothly and bring you the professional performances you love. 

What Are the Differences?
So, let’s get into the details - what are the actual differences between these director roles? As the Executive Director of Arizona Philharmonic, the best way to summarize my role is the “behind-the-scenes captain” that helps propel the organization forward through organizational management of staff, finances, programming, audience development, and collaborations. 

Abby's To-Do List
- I utilize data, research, and best practices to create meaningful engagement and retention strategies and events for audiences, donors, and community members.
- I collaborate with other local organizations to facilitate activities or events that benefit the people these organizations serve.
- I create proposals for grants and foundations, and manage our team of grant writers that allow us to generate important funding for our budget.
- I review our outreach programs and implement new programs that bring value to our community. 
- I strategize with our Marketing Manager, working together so we can engage with new community members.
- I work with our Board President to make sure we are staying true to our mission and vision, and are empowering our Board to be ambassadors for Arizona Philharmonic and professional classical music in Northern Arizona.
- I also work with our Board Treasurer on various aspects of our finances.

It's a Team
While much of my role as Executive Director requires individual attention to a million details, my favorite part of this role is working as a team with the Artistic Director, Henry Flurry. While I do not directly choose programming, facilitate auditions for musicians, or run concert productions, I enjoy discussing and balancing the organizational needs of Arizona Philharmonic with the artistic side of the product—our professional concerts. 

In The Wizard of Oz (1939), a man pretends to be the Wizard and works machines behind the curtain. Once discovered, he says, “Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!” I am like the Wizard - pay no attention to the woman behind the scenes! 

You might still see me on stage making a concert announcement or backstage as a stage manager, but instead, I encourage you to look at the amazing musicians on stage, and enjoy the magic of each unique performance knowing that it was at least 12 months in the making, and that countless details were considered to bring you the best possible performance. No matter what I am doing at the concert, I will also be enjoying the magic our musicians bring to the stage.

Inviting a Musician to Share Your Home
As an organization built on a culture of kindness, AZ Phil acknowledges traveling musicians’ needs and comforts, and one of the courtesies shown to visiting musicians is to find hosts so musicians don’t incur hotel expenses.
 
How do you find a host? Well, an AZ Phil volunteer calls potential hosts, waiting for call backs, calling other potential hosts, waiting for call backs, and so on, it takes time to find people willing to share their homes. One concert had a need for 30 hosts, but it’s generally about a dozen or less.
 
Connecting People
The important considerations in matching a Prescott resident who has an extra bedroom with a traveling musician, are things like gender, allergies, bringing the spouse, etc. It helps if the housing coordinator is someone who loves the challenge of connecting hosts and musicians and is sensitive to both parties. Networking is effective, knowing other AZ Phil volunteers who may host is good, and it helps to be connected to Prescott’s classical music community.
 
Over time, some hosts and musician guests have formed comfortable friendships and the relationship continues over several trips. One volunteer has hosted the same Los Angeles musician three times. Those continuing relationships are wonderful on so many levels, and visits are looked forward to over the years. If you’d like to see if becoming an AZ Phil musician host for the coming season might work for you, click here.

We invite you to come to one of our monthly Volunteer Introduction meetings.

Upcoming Behind the Podium Newsletters will include:

• Musician Interviews
• News updates