Detroit Symphony Orchestra Names Erik Rönmark President and CEO

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Erik Rönmark headshot
Courtesy of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra

Erik Rönmark, current vice president and general manager of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, has been appointed to succeed Anne Parsons as president and CEO effective March 7, 2022, as announced by Mark Davidoff, chair of the DSO’s Board of Directors.

Römark was selected following a search that lasted nearly a year. His current role leading the trajectory of the DSO, familiarity with the community, and commitment to the growth of orchestral music, and relationship with Jader Bignamini, music director, are what the search committee say set him apart.

“I am honored to be named the next president and CEO of the Detroit Symphony,” says Rönmark. “Growing up in Sweden listening to DSO recordings with Paul Paray, Antal Dorati, and my countryman, Sixten Ehrling, I never could have imagined that one day I’d be leading this great orchestra and working with so many talented colleagues. I look forward to building upon that work in my new role.”

As GM for the past eight years and VP for the past five, Rönmark has contributed to the current culture that has enabled the DSO to achieve new success. He led the music director search that culminated in the appointment of Bignamini.

He served on the task force that led to the DSO’s free Live from Orchestra Hall webcasts. He subsequently oversaw the development and expansion of the DSO’s livestreaming capabilities so that the orchestra could keep the music playing with DSO Digital Concerts in a largely virtual 2020-2021 season.

“Erik has been a key contributor to the path the DSO has walked in the past decade, leading the orchestra alongside Anne through a period of unprecedented growth, challenge, and evolution,” says Davidoff.

“He was the unanimous choice of the search committee and was approved unanimously by the Board of Directors as the DSO’s next President and CEO. His appointment ensures the whole organization will continue to rise to meet new challenges and goals at a vital time in the DSO’s history.”