The president of the New York Philharmonic has been hired for the same job with the University Musical Society of the University of Michigan. The independent, nonprofit affiliate of the Ann Arbor school announced Tuesday that Matthew VanBesien will take over for Kenneth Fischer, who retires at the end of June after 30 years.
VanBesien became executive director of the New York Philharmonic in 2012 and president in 2014. The former professional French horn player previously served in executive capacities with Australia's Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and the Houston Symphony. VanBesien says in a release he's "excited about the diversity of the programming that UMS offers."
The society, which dates to 1879, presents roughly 70 music, theater and dance performances each season.
