David Pratt to Depart Santa Barbara Symphony for Australian Orchestra

Administrator David Pratt was announced yesterday as the new CEO of Queensland Symphony Orchestra. Pratt, the current executive director of the Santa Barbara Symphony, will begin his appointment down under this September.

The executive is credited with Santa Barbara's organizational turnaround since joining the Californian symphony in 2014. SBS board president Arthur Swalley praised Pratt's contributions over the past two years in a statement announce the change:

"In his short time with us, he has refocused our efforts on key strategic metrics, including cost-effective marketing, development processes, financial controls and expanded education programming. We are grateful for the critical work he has accomplished. Our symphony is now in excellent shape with great potential moving forward."

Mr. Pratt, a native Australian, returns home following Queensland Symphony Orchestra's six-month search for a new leader. The institution will be celebrating its 70th anniversary season in 2017.

QSO board head Greg Wanchap described the orchestra's recent string of success and spoke enthusiastically of Pratt's installment as director:

"QSO is in very strong artistic and financial health. Following a record-breaking season 2015 plus renewed and acclaimed musicality throughout the Orchestra, we are looking forward to the next chapter, one led by the dynamic and very experienced David Pratt together with our Music Director, Alondra de la Parra," he said.

Now over two decades into his managerial career, Pratt previously served as commercial enterprises manager for the Sydney Symphony, general manager of the Australian Festival of Chamber Music and a film music manager at the Melbourne Film Office.

The Queensland Symphony Orchestra, established in Brisbane, often perform at the city's QPAC Concert Hall, QSO Studios and Brisbane City Hall. In addition, the orchestra frequently tours the state of Queensland, Australia. For more information on the QSO, visit their website at qso.com.au.

Below, watch a YouTube video of David Pratt interviewed by Daniel Kepl last year.

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TagsDavid Pratt, Santa Barbara Symphony, Queensland Symphony Orchestra