CEO, Management

Position: Orchestra Lumos CEO
President and CEOOrchestra Lumos Stamford, Connecticut

Orchestra Lumos invites nominations and applications for the position of President & CEO, available in the Fall of 2025. Russell Jones, who has served in the role since 2017, has announced that he will step down at the end of the year. A Search Committee has been formed to identify the next President & CEO and has engaged the Catherine French Group to assist them in recruiting a strong chief executive who will partner with Music Director Michael Stern to lead the continued growth and development of Orchestra Lumos.

The Orchestra

Orchestra Lumos brings live symphonic music to nearly 15,000 residents annually across Fairfield County, Connecticut, the most populous county in the state. Formed in 1919 and established as a not-for-profit organization in 1967, the Stamford Symphony was rebranded as Orchestra Lumos in 2022 as it introduced an ambitious plan for growth and a renewed sense of purpose to increase its reach and its impact by bringing music to audiences and the many diverse communities of Fairfield County.

Uniting the passion of the region’s most talented musicians to create exhilarating artistic experiences, Orchestra Lumos aims to inspire, connect, and strengthen the communities it serves throughout the County.

Orchestra Lumos performs at the 1500-seat Palace Theatre in Stamford and in the Season will also appear at the Quick Center on the campus of Fairfield University in Fairfield, CT. The Small Space Series presents musicians in intimate venues throughout the County. Family Fun offers movie, Broadway, and holiday programming for audiences of all ages. Orchestra Lumos partners with a number of Fairfield County community and education organizations to bring music and musical experiences people in schools, libraries, community centers, hospitals, and rehab facilities.

The Season is inspired by the 250 th anniversary of the founding of the United States; all artists and repertoire are connected to America and will celebrate America’s national treasures.

The Orchestra operates under a collective bargaining agreement with AFM Local 802, the New York local that also represents Fairfield County. Talented professional musicians from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut come to perform with Orchestra Lumos and to work with Music Director Michael Stern, who has led the orchestra to critical acclaim for the past five years. Solo artists of the highest international stature appear with Orchestra Lumos on a regular basis.

Orchestra Lumos is governed by a Board of 19 community leaders and has a core team of five full-time staff who are supported by five independent consultants with specific concert-related responsibilities. The operating budget for theseason is $2.5 million, of which more than $2 million is supported by philanthropy.

The Opportunity

The next President and CEO will build on the significant work that has so effectively transformed Orchestra Lumos over the past five years. The President will take a leadership role with an Orchestra that is known for its innovative programming and is uniquely positioned to attract the finest musicians in the tri-state area. Working in partnership with a dynamic Music Director, the President will have the opportunity to expand the Orchestra’s reach into Fairfield County and to deepen connections between Orchestra Lumos and audiences from diverse communities throughout Fairfield County.

The President will join an organization that has strong reserves and a track record for attracting philanthropic support. Board, Music Director, musicians, and staff are aligned in pursuing the Orchestra’s artistic, community engagement and educational goals. The next President and CEO will provide the strategic leadership that will see continued growth while ensuring financial sustainability and the full participation of key external stakeholders.

The Position

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the President and CEO provides leadership and vision to ensure that Orchestra Lumos fulfills its mission and achieves its goals for artistic, financial, and organizational success. The President is responsible and accountable for…