In a surprising turn of events, Chad Smith, the esteemed chief executive of the Los Angeles Philharmonic (LA Phil), transitioned to the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) in the fall. This move marks a significant shift in the landscape of American orchestral music, as Smith brings his visionary leadership and extensive experience to one of the nation's oldest and most respected musical institutions.
Smith's departure from the LA Phil comes at a pivotal time, as the orchestra begins its search for a new music director to succeed Gustavo Dudamel, whose departure is slated for the end of the 2025-26 season. This transition raises questions about the future leadership of the LA Phil and the direction it will take in the coming years.
A Visionary Leader with a Proven Track Record
Chad Smith is widely recognized as a visionary leader who has made significant contributions to the advancement of orchestral music. Credited with advancing the orchestral music tradition through cutting-edge programming and cultivating industry-defining partnerships, Smith brings strategic expertise, commitment to musical excellence, and a tested ability to expand audiences and generate revenue.
During his tenure at the LA Phil, Smith worked in close partnership with Music and Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel to establish and advance several of the most impactful orchestral programs of the 21st century. Smith led the LA Phil's artistic and business teams to propel record financial growth year-upon-year and invest in visionary programs to foster a culturally diverse talent pipeline and expand new audiences.
Among the visionary programs created during his tenure at the LA Phil is the acclaimed Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (YOLA), and its Frank Gehry-designed facility, the Beckmen YOLA Center. Under the artistic leadership of Maestro Dudamel, YOLA provides free instruments, intensive music instruction, academic support, and leadership training to close to 1,700 young people in communities across Los Angeles County, and the cutting-edge facility houses daily instruction and city-wide performance events. As CEO, Smith launched the LA Phil Humanities program, designed to promote dialogue among artists and audiences in order to contextualize classical music for the contemporary world. Programming includes festivals, speaker series, scholarly publications, art installations, and curated projects to build community involvement.
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Returning to His Roots in Boston
The appointment marks Smith's return to Boston, where he earned bachelor's and master's degrees in vocal performance at the New England Conservatory of Music and an undergraduate degree in history at Tufts University. After the announcement Smith said he was full of mixed emotions. My favorite days are those sitting down and talking with Gustavo and with composers.
Smith sees "endless opportunity to support and grow those things which make the BSO so very special, impactful in Boston, and revered around the world-from the Orchestra’s long standing prominence in the legendary Symphony Hall, to the beloved Boston Pops, the Tanglewood festival, the Tanglewood Learning Institute, and the Tanglewood Music Center, where I was a student for two summers," said Smith.
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As the Julian and Eunice Cohen President and CEO of the BSO, Smith manages the Boston Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Andris Nelsons, the Boston Pops, under the direction of Keith Lockhart, and Tanglewood, bringing a unique blend of experience both as an artist and a seasoned executive for some of the world’s most beloved arts organizations. Relying on that insight and experience, Smith is charged with sustaining the BSO's international reputation for orchestral excellence and establishing a premier slate of programming initiatives to foster renewed arts appreciation among audiences and deepen the institution's community and civic engagement.
"All of us at the Boston Symphony Orchestra-musicians, staff, and Board of Trustees and Advisors-warmly welcome Chad Smith to the BSO family this fall as President and CEO," said Andris Nelsons, the Ray and Maria Stata Music Director. "We look forward to partnering with Chad to move the organization into a bright and promising future, where we will continue to treasure our rich legacy of achievement while embracing our mission to grow and evolve for our communities here in Boston, the Berkshires, and throughout the world."
A Legacy of Innovation and Growth
Smith's affiliation with the Los Angeles Philharmonic has lasted more than two decades, in a number of creative and leadership roles, culminating with his appointment as the Chief Executive Officer in 2019. As CEO, Smith oversaw one of the largest and most vibrant orchestras in the world, which presents hundreds of concerts annually at multiple venues, with an operating budget that exceeds $150 million-the largest of any orchestral organization in the world.
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Prior to his promotion in October 2019, Smith was Chief Operating Officer for the Association. He held that post for four years and was responsible for the artistic oversight and coordination of the orchestra’s programming, as well as the organization’s marketing, communications and public relations, production, orchestra operations, media, and learning initiatives. Smith’s tenure with the orchestra has been defined by his close relationships with Music & Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel and Conductor Laureate Esa-Pekka Salonen; groundbreaking artistic initiatives including the launch of new orchestral series, major multi-disciplinary projects and dozens of festivals; and an unparalleled commitment to composers and the music of today.
Smith began his career in 2000 at the New World Symphony, working closely with conductor Michael Tilson Thomas. He first joined the LA Phil in 2002, when he was responsible for planning the orchestra’s Green Umbrella new music series, as well as its classical programming at the Hollywood Bowl. A trustee of the New England Conservatory, he also serves on the advisory board of the Music Academy of the West and is a member of the Executive Committee for the Avery Fisher Artist Program.
The LA Phil, under the vibrant leadership of Music & Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel, presents an inspiring array of music from all genres - orchestral, chamber and Baroque music, organ and celebrity recitals, new music, jazz, world music, and pop - at two of L.A.'s iconic venues, Walt Disney Concert Hall (laphil.com) and the Hollywood Bowl (hollywoodbowl.com). The LA Phil's season at Walt Disney Concert Hall extends from September through May and throughout the summer at the Hollywood Bowl.
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
The BSO, a storied American orchestra, has a popular music director in Andris Nelsons, but the orchestra has struggled for a long time to maintain a strong artistic profile and to regain its former vibrancy as a cultural institution in a city that is culturally conservative but also youth-oriented and full of digital startups.
In Smith the BSO is getting the top orchestral manager of his generation. "The orchestra needs someone with artistic chops, and that is what he brings to the table," Morris said. "He is the way of the future. It is good for Boston. It is good for L.A. And it makes me very happy."
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To allow for a seamless transition, Jeffrey D. Dunn continues to play an important role as interim CEO. Smith was selected following a search process that began in January 2023 and approved unanimously by a full Board of Trustees vote.
Chad Smith: A Summary of His Career
| Position | Organization | Years |
|---|---|---|
| President and CEO | Boston Symphony Orchestra | 2023 - Present |
| Chief Executive Officer | Los Angeles Philharmonic | 2019 - 2023 |
| Chief Operating Officer | Los Angeles Philharmonic | 2015 - 2019 |
| Vice President of Artistic Planning | Los Angeles Philharmonic | 2006 - 2015 |
| Head Artistic Planner | New York Philharmonic | 2006 |
| Associate Artistic Administrator | Los Angeles Philharmonic | 2002-2006 |
| Various Roles | New World Symphony | 2000 - 2002 |
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