EarRelevant Staff | 20 JUL 2025
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota— Isaac Thompson, a Minnesota native and current president and CEO of the Oregon Symphony, has been appointed president and CEO of the Minnesota Orchestra, the organization announced Friday. He will begin his new role on October 14, succeeding interim leader Brent Assink.
Thompson brings a wide range of experience in orchestral leadership, having held key administrative roles at the New York Philharmonic, the Cincinnati Symphony, and the Milwaukee Symphony. He grew up in the Twin Cities and credits the Minnesota Orchestra with shaping his early musical education.
“It is a great pleasure to welcome Isaac back to his ‘home’ orchestra,” said Minnesota Orchestra Board Chair Nancy Lindahl. “He brings a bold, collaborative spirit and a deep understanding of the orchestra’s potential to serve its community in artistic and civic ways.”
Thompson’s appointment follows a national search led by a 14-member committee of board, staff, and musicians, co-chaired by Joseph Green and Martin Lueck. Executive search firm Russell Reynolds Associates managed the process.
As the Orchestra’s top administrator, Thompson will partner with Music Director Thomas Søndergård, who is entering his third season, to help shape the ensemble’s artistic direction. He will also oversee the next phase of the Orchestra’s participation in the Upper Harbor Terminal amphitheater development in partnership with First Avenue and the City of Minneapolis.
“The opportunity to return to Minnesota to lead my hometown orchestra is deeply meaningful,” Thompson said in a statement. “Many of my formative musical experiences occurred at Orchestra Hall, and I look forward to working with the musicians, staff, board, and community to chart a vibrant future for this organization.”
Thompson’s previous work includes a tenure as managing director of the New York Philharmonic, where he launched the orchestra’s NYPhil+ streaming platform, helped guide community partnerships during the COVID-19 pandemic, and led planning for the reopening of David Geffen Hall. He was also part of the search committee that selected Gustavo Dudamel as the Philharmonic’s next music director.
At the Oregon Symphony, Thompson has overseen growth in both earned and contributed income, introduced a new brand identity, and launched an “anchor arts” resiliency initiative that helped secure increased arts funding from the Oregon State Legislature.
“Isaac is someone who understands the history and legacy of the Minnesota Orchestra and shares our aspirations for where we want to go next,” said Søndergård. “His artistic values, cooperative style, and strategic outlook make him a great match for this role.”
Born and raised in the Twin Cities, Thompson graduated from Mounds View High School and studied violin with Nancy Lokken and former Minnesota Orchestra concertmaster Jorja Fleezanis. He earned a bachelor’s degree in violin performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and a master’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin.
Thompson currently serves on the boards of the League of American Orchestras and Minnesota Public Radio/American Public Media.
Musicians involved in the hiring process welcomed Thompson’s appointment. “Isaac has the skill, experience, and enthusiasm to build on our successes over the last ten years,” said bass trombonist Andrew Chappell, a member of the search committee. “He’s a lifelong fan of the Minnesota Orchestra and brings with him both national perspective and a deep understanding of community.”
Outgoing interim CEO Brent Assink was also praised for his leadership during the transition. Assink, a former longtime executive director of the San Francisco Symphony, stepped into the interim role following the departure of Michelle Miller Burns in 2024 to lead the Dallas Symphony. ■
EXTERNAL LINKS:
- Minnesota Orchestra: minnesotaorchestra.org
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