Peter Kjome, the president and CEO of Grand Rapids Symphony, has accepted a position as president and CEO of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.
Kjome joined the GRS as a musician in 1990, performing for eight years. He then returned to the symphony as president in 2008.
With a new music director, Marcelo Lehninger, and a new five-year contract recently signed with the musicians, the transition marks a natural time for change in the leadership, according to a statement.
“Eight years ago, we set out a number of ambitious goals, including continuing to elevate artistic excellence, expanding our education programs, and launching and completing an endowment campaign,” Kjome said in the statement. “With the support of our community, we have made great progress. The Symphony is ready to move forward toward a bright future with new leadership.”
The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra is also a progression of sorts for Kjome, with a budget of more than $27 million and a 52-week season versus the Grand Rapids Symphony’s budget of more than $9 million and a 40-week season.
Kjome will begin work on Feb. 1 at the BSO.
Going forward, the GRS’s Board of Directors has named its Chairperson Elect Charles Frayer and its Vice Chairperson Mary Tuuk as leaders of the search for a new president.
