Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra extends Contract of President & CEO Peter H. Gistelinck

    KALAMAZOO, MI, June 13, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors proudly announces the extension of Peter H. Gistelinck's contract as its President & CEO for an additional term, through the end of the 2021-2022 concert season. Mr. Gistelinck was initially selected for the position following an international search in 2013 and began his tenure as President & CEO in May 2014.

Reflecting on Mr. Gistelinck's tenure, Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra Board Chair, Dr. Janice M. Brown, commented, "Successfully managing an orchestra requires a unique set of skills, business expertise, artistic judgment and experience. The Kalamazoo Symphony has been very fortunate to have had Peter's excellent vision and leadership during a period that has been challenging for many nonprofit music organizations. We are really delighted and grateful to be able to extend our contract with Peter, as we implement our new Strategic Plan that will lead us into our 100th anniversary in 2020-2021."

During his initial term, Mr. Gistelinck successfully led the orchestra's daily operations, helping the orchestra maintain and improve its financial health; more than doubling the sponsorship income of the organization. Mr. Gistelinck was instrumental in creating and implementing a Strategic Plan and expanding the Orchestra's overall activities. This included an exclusive agreement with 'Disney in Concert' that led to the national premiere of the 'Alice in Wonderland' movie concert. He obtained a worldwide distribution deal for all of KSO's archival recordings going back to the mid-50s through Naxos International, the leading classical music group.

Peter H. Gistelinck expressed his sentiments on the extension of his term; "I am very excited about the extension of my contract and the opportunity to continue to contribute to the success of our wonderful orchestra and its musicians as we move toward our 100th anniversary."

Enthusiastic about the future of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, Music Director Raymond Harvey had this to say about Peter Gistelinck's leadership: "Collaborating with a 'never stopping' President & CEO is a dream come true. Peter is driven by his love for music and passion for management, and is always looking for new opportunities, original projects, and artistic collaborations. Together with our talented musicians, motivated staff and board members, and a supportive community, Peter and I will continue striving to bring exciting musical experiences to our audiences."

Before joining the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, Mr. Gistelinck was the Executive Director of The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, Director of Sales and Marketing and Co-Artistic Director for the Brussels Philharmonic and Flemish Radio Choir in Brussels, Belgium. Prior to the Flemish Radio Orchestra, Mr. Gistelinck served as General Manager of Business Affairs for Le Concert Spirituel, an international award winning French Baroque orchestra in Paris, France from 1999 to 2004. He was General Manager for the I Fiamminghi Chamber Orchestra in Ghent, Belgium from 1997 to1999, and as a consultant to wind ensemble I Solisti del Vento. From 1991 to1997, he was Music Education and Publishing Manager for Roland Corporation Benelux.

Mr. Gistelinck, an accomplished music producer, composer and arranger, is the son of Flemish composer Elias Gistelinck. He and his wife, Kim R. Bloom, currently reside in Kalamazoo's Winchell area with their nine-year-old daughter. Mr. Gistelinck is fluent in Flemish, French, English and German and enjoys French and Italian cuisine, travel, and golf.

Visit www.kalamazoosymphony.com for up-to-date information, details and schedules. Prices, artists, dates, time and program are subject to change without notice.

The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra receives major support from the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation, the Kalamazoo Community Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra also receives generous support from other local, state and national foundations, as well as private and corporate support. For more information, visit www.kalamazoosymphony.com.

About the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra
Founded in 1921, the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra is Southwest Michigan's premier musical organization, providing musical enrichment to over 80,000 adults and youth per year. The third-largest professional orchestra in the state, the KSO has won numerous awards and grants, including the Met Life Award for Arts Access in Underserved Communities, the National Endowment for the Arts for its extensive education programs, and a major Ford Foundation grant to found its innovative Artist-in-Residence program.

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