Robert Jones joined the LBSO as a consultant in 2009 and was hired full time as Executive Director in 2011. Drawing on his significant experience in orchestra management, he has led the board and staff in eliminating accumulated deficits and alleviating cash-flow crises while working to instill confidence and build community support for the Orchestra.
Robert Jones’ distinguished career in music began in Portland, Oregon, where he worked as a professional musician (clarinet, saxophone, and flute) and adjunct faculty at Portland State University and other area colleges. He was elected to four three-year terms as Secretary-Treasurer of the American Federation of Musicians, Local 99, before becoming an Executive Officer at the AF of M in New York, which represented more than 300,000 members from 800-plus local unions.
In 1980, Mr. Jones accepted the position of Vice President and General Manager of The Minnesota Orchestra, then a $9 million budget orchestra with a 52-week season and 350 concerts a year. He directed and managed budgets for orchestra operations, artistic administration and the 2,500-seat Orchestra Hall. In addition, Mr. Jones provided staff support for the Orchestra’s finance, development, planning, human resources, labor relations, and marketing committees. He led the management team for collective bargaining negotiations with all unions, including musicians, stagehands, and service employees.
From 1983 to 1998, Robert Jones was Executive Director, President and CEO of the Indianapolis Symphony. He oversaw the Orchestra’s growth in annual budget from $4 million to $16 million, growth in endowment from $9 million to $94 million, and the acquisition and renovation of the 1800-seat Hilbert Circle Theatre concert hall.
In 1998, Robert Jones was invited to join the leadership team of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, as both Vice President, Music, for the Center and Executive Director, President, and Chief Operating Officer of the National Symphony Orchestra. His responsibilities included management of the National Symphony Orchestra, the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, the Fortas Chamber Music Concerts, and all other music programs created, presented or coordinated by the Kennedy Center.
Following his work at the Kennedy Center, Mr. Jones spent several years as an entrepreneur in real estate development and business services. He returned to the arts in 2004 as CEO and General Director of Opera Pacific, eliminating debt, balancing budgets, and achieving significant increases in earned and contributed income. Opera Pacific ceased operations in 2008 when the economic downturn negatively affected the company’s donor base and threatened its financial sustainability.
Robert Jones has a degree in Economics from Portland State University.
