New RSO Executive Director Larry Kopp, with Music Director Jerry Steichen, Gina Wilson, retiring executive director; Donna Case, outgoing Board President; Chris Bennett, new board president.
A seasoned manager of non-profits and leader of symphony orchestras is taking over as head of the Ridgefield Symphon Orchestra.
His hiring was announced at the orchestra’s annual meeting Monday, June 9, at the Keeler Tavern Garden House.
Larry Kopp, a native of Northeastern Pennsylvania, will be the new executive director.
He has 25 years of leadership experience, including top-level positions of non-profit organizations and service as executive director for four other symphony orchestras, the RSO reports.
“I’m extremely excited to be joining the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra during their 50th Anniversary Season,” Mr. Kopp said. “The RSO has a proud history of artistic excellence and community support as well as an extraordinary board, staff, musicians and patrons, and I am greatly looking forward to working with all of the constituencies to help make the RSO the finest orchestra possible.”
Before his career in non-profits, Mr. Kopp served in the U.S. Army on airborne, air assault and special operation units. music at the undergraduate and graduate levels at Temple University in Philadelphia. During that time, Larry worked as a free-lance musician performing with numerous musical organizations throughout Philadelphia, Southeastern Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey.
New board
Also at the meeting, Chris Bennett was elected the new President of the Board of Directors succeeding Donna Case who served as president for the past five years. Mr. Bennett was most recently Vice President of the RSO. Scott Edwardson was elected Vice President