SANTA FE PRO MUSICA APPOINTS ANNE-MARIE MCDERMOTT ARTISTIC DIRECTOR 

Internationally acclaimed pianist to become Pro Musica’s first new artistic director since Tom O’Connor and Carol Redman founded the organization in 1980.

SANTA FE, NM, MAY 1, 2020 – Santa Fe Pro Musica today announced the appointment of Anne-Marie McDermott as the organization’s first new Artistic Director since the organization was co-founded by the eminent woodwind musicians Tom O’Connor and Carol Redman in 1980. Over the coming two seasons, Ms. McDermott will transition into her new role overseeing the Pro Musica Orchestra and String Works Series while O’Connor prepares to step down from his post as Music Director (as announced last year). The Pro Musica Baroque Ensemble will continue to be led by co-founder Carol Redman. The appointment is the result of a national search to fill the leadership role and part of a strategic planning process that began in the 2017-18 season.

McDermott is a renowned international performer, balancing an eclectic career as a pianist, chamber musician, and artistic director of several festivals, including the Bravo! Vail Music Festival in Colorado (2011-present). Over the past five years, McDermott has performed with Pro Musica on numerous occasions, where she delighted audiences and developed dynamic working relationships with many of Pro Musica’s musicians and staff.

“In our search for the person who would take Pro Musica forward into the future,” said Tom O’Connor, “we wanted an internationally renowned artist with significant artistic director experience who understood the mission and culture of the organization and would be able to take it to the next level, even during this time of unprecedented uncertainty in the face of COVID-19. Anne-Marie fits those criteria to a tee, and we believe she is the ideal person to help us navigate the unknown challenges that lie ahead.”

McDermott’s appointment positions Pro Musica for a new era of growth while staying true to the dedicated, inspired, and successful leadership of its founders that made Pro Musica a community leader and a magnet for excellence. Bernard van der Hoeven, President of the Pro Musica Board of Trustees, “We were committed to finding a director who would honor the foundations and philosophy of Pro Musica while also taking bold steps into an even brighter future. In Anne-Marie McDermott, we found a perfect fit, and together, we are charting a thrilling path forward.”

McDermott said, “It is a huge honor to deepen my relationship with Pro Musica as Artistic Director. There is an artistic aesthetic in Santa Fe—a commitment to collaboration and the wholeness of the human being—that has spoken to me since my very first visit. I look forward to building on the remarkable organization Tom and Carol have created, bringing new voices and ideas to Santa Fe so that we can provide unforgettable musical experiences for members of our community.”