Seth Hanford brings solid fundraising and administrative experience to the organization.
Midsummer’s Music, Wisconsin’s longest-running summer chamber music series, recently named Seth Hanford to the new position of Development Director.
Prior to joining Midsummer’s Music, Seth was Head of School at Elgin Academy, a position in which he had significant nonprofit fundraising and administrative experience. He holds an M.A. in Educational Administration from Teacher’s College at Columbia University, with a specialization in private school leadership, and a B.A. in history from the University of Pennsylvania. Before becoming Head, he served as Elgin Academy’s Assistant Head of School, Upper School Director, and an Upper School history teacher. Seth has held other administrative, teaching, advising, and coaching roles at two other independent schools around the country. His work in schools centered around ensuring that students had experiences that encouraged them to experiment and take risks in and out of the classroom.
Upon being selected for the Midsummer’s Music position, he said, “I am so honored to join the Midsummer’s Music community at such an exciting time. This organization’s mission is inspiring, and its desire to enrich the experience of Wisconsin residents and Door County visitors through beautiful music is one I look forward to supporting. I am honored to have the opportunity and look forward to helping in any way I can as Midsummer’s Music grows.”
Hanford and his wife, Desiree, a professor at the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, have travelled to the peninsula for over two decades. They are both drawn to the beauty of the area and the close-knit community. While he has only dabbled in music himself, he is a believer in what the arts can do to enhance community. Seth loves Midsummer’s Music’s desire to bring chamber music in all its forms to the community.
Midsummer’s Music celebrates 33 years of bringing chamber music to Door County in 2023. Visit www.midsummersmusic.com for the complete summer schedule of concerts and events.
Midsummer’s Music was co-founded in 1990 by Jim and Jean Berkenstock, long-time Door County summer residents and principal orchestral players with the Lyric Opera of Chicago. What began as two concerts among friends has become one of the Midwest’s most anticipated chamber music series, bringing thousands of chamber music enthusiasts from around the globe to the magical Door County Peninsula.