Gary Ginstling
Gary Ginstling | |
|---|---|
| Occupation(s) | Music industry executive, clarinetist |
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Known for | President and CEO of the New York Philharmonic; CEO of Houston Symphony (from 2025) |
Gary Ginstling is a prominent American music industry leader who formerly held the position of President and CEO at the New York Philharmonic. Beginning February 3, 2025, he is set to assume the role of CEO at the Houston Symphony.
Education
Ginstling earned academic credentials from Yale University, the Juilliard School, and UCLA's Anderson School of Management. Reflecting on his time at Juilliard, he observed that the institution emphasized obtaining orchestral roles more than exploring wider career opportunities in the arts.
Career
Prior to his tenure with the New York Philharmonic, Ginstling was appointed executive director of the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) in Washington, D.C. in August 2017. During his leadership at NSO, he introduced initiatives that significantly increased ticket revenue, subscription numbers, and donor contributions.
Before that, he spent five years as CEO of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, where he immediately addressed and settled a musicians’ strike and achieved a 44% growth in income. From 2008 until 2013, he fulfilled the role of general manager for the Cleveland Orchestra.
His earlier roles include serving as director of communications and external affairs at the San Francisco Symphony and acting as executive director for the Berkeley Symphony starting in 2004, where he successfully raised audience attendance by more than 25%.
Prior to entering orchestra administration, Ginstling worked for three years in the technology sector as a product marketing manager for Java at Sun Microsystems. In 1998, he was also an instructor in music at the University of California at Irvine's Department of Music. Additionally, he performed professionally as a clarinetist with the New West Symphony for twelve years.
On July 11, 2024, Ginstling stepped down from his CEO position at the New York Philharmonic amid challenges connected to labor disagreements.
Other activities
Ginstling contributes his expertise by serving on the boards of both the League of American Orchestras and the Electronic Media Association, playing an active role in important industry organizations.