Midsummer’s Music Names New Executive Director
The Board of Directors of Midsummer’s Music Ltd. recently selected Allyson Fleck to be the organization’s next Executive Director. Current Executive Director Russ Warren will continue working with Midsummer’s Music on marketing materials after he and his partner relocate to Portugal.
Allyson, who has played viola with Midsummer’s Music since 2006 and has served as Assistant Artistic Director since 2014, will begin in her new position April 1. She is Assistant Principal Viola in the Fort Collins Symphony Orchestra, and she plays in the Cheyenne Symphony, where she also serves as orchestra manager, and Greeley Philharmonic. She currently subs with the Colorado Springs Philharmonic, Colorado Symphony, Boulder Chamber Orchestra and Boulder Philharmonic. “It is such a unique situation that Russ is not leaving, but instead transitioning,” Fleck said. “I am not joining Midsummer’s Music, but also transitioning. Donna Johnson, who has been with Midsummer’s Music for eight months, has great ties to the community, and Jim Berkenstock is always at the helm as our constant leader who will ensure a smooth transition.”
Russ was hired as Midsummer’s Marketing Director in 2015 for the organization’s historic 25th anniversary season. With enthusiastic support of the organization’s Marketing Committee, he was instrumental in attracting record high attendance for the year. Warren stated, “I’ve been delighted to be a part of the Midsummer’s Music team, and I was honored to be selected by the Board as Executive Director in the spring of 2016. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with the Board as well as with our community partners, venues and vendors, as well as my colleagues in other Door County arts and humanities organizations.”
Midsummer’s co-founder and Artistic Director Jim Berkenstock said, “We are extremely pleased and feel very fortunate that Allyson has agreed to be Executive Director. She has proven to be very valuable to Midsummer’s Music in so many ways. I and all my colleagues on the Board look forward to working with her we enter our 28th year of performing world-class chamber music in Door County. We are very glad that Russ, through the wonders of technology, will be able to continue working with Midsummer’s Music, and we wish him and Bruce all the best in their new home.”
The Midsummer’s Music 2018 summer season begins June 15 with the Opening Night Gala at Birch Creek, as the first of 27 ensemble concerts through September 3. The complete concert schedule is available and downloadable at midsummersmusic.com.