James Roe to assume leadership of Orchestra of St. Luke’s

Sep 18, 2015

NEWARK, NJ (September 18, 2015)—The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra Board of Trustees today announced that NJSO President & CEO James Roe has been appointed President & Executive Director of Orchestra of St. Luke’s (OSL) in New York City, assuming his new post effective December 1. He has been President & CEO of the NJSO since July 1, 2013. Prior to that, he was acting principal oboe of the NJSO for two years.

During Roe’s tenure, the NJSO inaugurated multiple initiatives that focused on audience engagement, stressing participation, interaction and relevance to both individuals and communities. The Orchestra’s signature series of audience engagement programs, NJSO Accents, is the cornerstone of those efforts. In July 2014, the NJSO established the Edward T. Cone Composition Institute for young and emerging composers, an immersive educational opportunity for exciting young talents presented in partnership with Princeton University. The NJSO was a key leader in the formation of the El Sistema New Jersey Alliance—the partnership between NJSO CHAMPS (Character, Achievement and Music Project) and five sister El Sistema programs across the state is the first of its kind in the United States. In Roe’s tenure, the NJSO made continued progress toward achieving a balanced operating budget through key fundraising initiatives including a burgeoning major gifts program.

NJSO Board of Trustees Co-Chairs Ruth C. Lipper and Steve Sichak say: “Through his dedication to building audiences and achieving financial stability, Jim led the NJSO to an even higher level of strategic focus in delivering our mission. He was tireless in his drive to bring the work of the NJSO to more people in the Garden State, while being a responsible steward of the financial trust placed in us. We accomplished great things together in the time we had, and we wish him well in his work with Orchestra of St. Luke’s.”

Roe says: “My time with the NJSO as a leader both on stage and off has been an incredibly important and rewarding time in my life. I deeply respect the NJSO’s mission, the people who day in and day out live to deliver that mission and the many people around the state who are open to the mission. It is not easy to leave: when leaders of OSL approached me to take the helm, it presented an opportunity to return to an organization with which I had a deep 20-year relationship, and such opportunities are rare in life. I am profoundly grateful for my time with the NJSO and, with a full heart, acknowledge its leadership, musicians and staff.”

An official OSL announcement captures Roe's history with the orchestra: “‘Taking this role feels like coming home for me. In many ways, it is a unique fit,’” said Roe, a former professional oboist who performed often with OSL for 20 years. His first and last concerts in Carnegie Hall were performances of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion with the orchestra. “‘OSL’s artistic integrity and versatility have earned international distinction; its numerous artistic partnerships make it a vital part of cultural life in New York City; and The DiMenna Center is an unparalleled resource for the city’s classical music sector in what is fast becoming a vibrant, revitalized neighborhood. It is a great honor to be selected to lead this organization that I hold in such high regard.’”

NJSO Chief Operating Officer Susan Stucker will serve as Interim President & CEO from the time of Roe’s departure until his successor is in place. Stucker has been with the NJSO for 26 years, having served as COO since July 2013.