New Jersey Symphony Orchestra (NJSO) has named St Martin in the Fields chief executive Gabriel van Aalst as its new president and CEO. Van Aalst will work alongside newly appointed music director Xian Zhang, who begins her tenure in September of this year.
‘The institutional command and ideas that Gabriel brings to the president & CEO position pair well with the artistic vision and gifts Xian Zhang brings as our next music director,’ said NJSO co-chair David Huber.
Van Aalst has led a number of successful initiatives at St Martin in the Fields, including its return to the BBC Proms after a 20-year absence. Under his watch the company re-launched its website, which includes Spotify integration that gives music fans immediate access to its catalogue of recordings.
Said van Aalst: ‘The combination of Xian and the fantastic musicians of the orchestra is certain to ensure a future of artistic excellence.’ For her part, Zhang said that she and van Aalst ‘share a belief in bringing great music and education programmes to communities across the state.’
NJSO has a large education and outreach programme, with two of its NJSO Youth Orchestras making their Carnegie Hall debuts in March of this year. The 2015-16 season also saw the introduction of a Music and Wellness programme that brings chamber music to patients and families in hospital settings.
