Gary Ginstring, the veteran orchestra manager who abruptly resigned last year after briefly leading the New York Philharmonic, was announced Friday as the next chief executive of the Houston Symphony Orchestra.
He will lead the orchestra, which was founded in 1913, and will work to raise its artistic profile and increase its fundraising efforts. The Houston Symphony Orchestra is nearing completion of a $60 million renovation of its home, Jones Hall, and is working to attract new audiences.
Ginsling, who will take over next month, said he was drawn to Houston's dynamism.
“That word is possibility. We have the potential to become a cultural leader in Houston, to become a world-class orchestra, and to enter a new era with this amazing group of people,” he said. “It really shows that anything is possible.”
Mr. Ginstring, 58, has held senior positions with a variety of ensembles, including the Washington National Symphony Orchestra, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and the Cleveland Orchestra.
But he had a tumultuous time as president and chief executive officer of the New York Philharmonic. He resigned in July, just a year after taking over, amid conflicts with musicians, staff, executives, and star maestro Gustavo Dudamel, who was to become the Philharmonic's musical and artistic director.
In an interview this week, Ginstring declined to comment on his departure, saying, “I'm going to let bygones be bygones.”
Barbara J. Berger, president of the Houston Symphony Orchestra, said the search committee investigated Ginsling's tenure with the Philharmonic and spoke with colleagues in New York. “If someone's tenure is short, that's certainly a concern,” she says.
But she said the committee was satisfied that Ginsling was not suitable for the Philharmonic and the Philharmonic found him unsuitable.
“We thought this was a credible story,” said Berger, a former Chevron executive. “Sometimes we put people in situations that make them face challenges, but that doesn't mean they're bad people.”
She added: “If he hadn't established himself elsewhere, it would have been a different story.”
Ginstring said he is ready for the new challenge.
“The most important thing for me is to find an institution where people are dedicated and passionate,” he said. “Houston feels like the perfect community for me.”
The New York Philharmonic recently named Matthias Tarnopolsky, who previously led the Philadelphia Orchestra, to replace Ginstring.
The Houston Symphony Orchestra, with 90 musicians, 74 staff members and a budget of approximately $41 million, has recently been revitalized by the Jones Hall renovation project. The most ambitious phase of the project, including sound and lighting improvements, was completed last year.
Fundraising efforts are showing signs of hope, with donations increasing from about $13 million in 2019 to $22 million last year. Donations reached approximately $100 million, up from approximately $76 million in 2019.
But orchestras face challenges. Concert attendance remains below pre-pandemic levels, at 69 percent capacity last year compared to 72 percent in 2019, but orchestras expect attendance to reach pre-pandemic levels this year. He said he expects to return. The number of subscribers has also declined sharply in recent years.
When he takes over next month, Ginstring is expected to expand the orchestra's donor base and build closer relationships with the community, Berger said. He will also be involved in deciding whether to retain Houston Symphony Orchestra music director Juraj Valkuha when his contract expires in 2026.
“We have ambitions to be a top orchestra,” Berger said. “Gary understands the job. He has the mindset and the heart for the job.”
Mr. Ginstring replaces John Mangum, who left Houston last fall to serve as general director of the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
