Bozeman Symphony Appoints New General Manager
Bozeman, January 2022 – The Bozeman Symphony is proud to announce the appointment of its first-ever General Manager Jacob Blaser, a veteran in the events management industry with more than two decades of experience. Blaser has worked with world-renowned companies such as Intel, Nike, Adidas, Microsoft, and most recently as Oregon Symphony’s Director of Operations, before officially joining the Bozeman Symphony administrative team on January 3, 2022.
As the Bozeman Symphony continues to grow under the leadership of Music Director Norman Huynh and Executive Director Emily Paris-Matin, so did the need to hire additional specialized staff to help propel the organization forward. Blaser will assist Huynh and Paris-Martin on the Bozeman Symphony’s leadership team through managing orchestra operations, concert production, and long-term vision and growth plans to ensure this bright future.
“It is wonderful that we have not only expanded our administrative leadership team, but we have recruited an individual like Jacob with significant skills and expertise that will be an active part of the Symphony’s next phase of development,” said Paris-Martin. “The Symphony is poised for growth as we continue to experience increased enthusiasm within the community. It is remarkable the support Bozeman demonstrates for its Symphony, providing the opportunity for us to invest in, and attract, exceptional talent among our leadership and musicians.”
Huynh was first introduced to Blaser at the Oregon Symphony in 2017 and quickly recognized his talents to operate a team and effectively manage large-scale events. Since becoming Music Director in June 2020, Huynh has expanded the Bozeman Symphony’s offerings beyond classical with Bozeman Symphony Presents, a celebration of popular music accessible to all audiences; Current Commotion, an experimental music series highlighting living composers; and a strong desire to launch a summertime music festival.
“The Bozeman Symphony is growing at an unprecedented rate,” said Huynh. “We are pushing the envelope in the concerts that we produce and Jacob’s vast experience across multiple industries is essential to ensuring that we are successful in our endeavor to be a leader in the performing arts for the Gallatin Valley region. His knowledge of music, production, and his keen eye for quality will ensure that our growth is successful.”
Blaser was first introduced to the Bozeman community for the Symphony’s sold-out performances of Holiday Spectacular in December 2021, where he assisted the Bozeman Symphony musicians, staff, and volunteers for an incredibly successful weekend of live symphonic music.
“The Bozeman Symphony is an organization gearing up for big things, in a vibrant and growing community that clearly loves to support and enjoy the arts,” said Blaser. “I am thrilled to be joining a fabulous team for this next leg of the Symphony's journey and growth. There is a great opportunity right now for how the arts respond to the changes in the region, and I am excited to add my voice to that conversation.”
As the Bozeman Symphony enters the second half of the 2021/22 concert season, and planning for next season has already begun, the organization will look to Blaser’s extensive knowledge and expertise in the industry to continue its success.
“The power of music to transform and inspire rarely happens by chance,” said Blaser. “It takes musicians willing to work hard and perform even harder on stage, as well as a team of dedicated people behind the scenes who enable that performance. I believe the Bozeman Symphony is going to be making tremendous artistic and community contributions in the next few years, and I am looking forward to lending my experience in arts administration and my passion for music, to make that a reality.”
For more information or media inquiries about the appointment of General Manager Jacob Blaser, please contact the Bozeman Symphony at 406-585-9774 or info@bozemansymphony.org.
Jacob Blaser, General Manager - Jacob Blaser grew up in the Pacific Northwest, from the college town, and home of the Ducks, Eugene Oregon. Music performance was a strong passion for Jacob while in High School and College. This led him towards broadening his education, both in the classroom and on the stage, to include concert technologies and logistics, a combination of disciplines that would prove to be a strong foundation for his career.
With over two decades of event management experience, Jacob offers a unique blend of leadership, vision, and knowledge. After starting a successful music studio in the Willamette Valley and working with local acts on studio and live concert recordings, Jacob moved in 2002 to Portland, Oregon where he honed his skills as an event producer for a small AV and Event company. Jacob’s management and leadership skills helped the company grow its yearly event revenue by over 1300% in just a few years, working with world-recognized companies such as Intel, Nike, Adidas, Microsoft, and numerous others throughout the West Coast, including many of the arts nonprofits that operate in Oregon.
Most recently before joining the Bozeman Symphony, Jacob worked for the oldest orchestra in the Western United States, the Oregon Symphony, joining the team in 2015 as an Operations Manager, before being promoted as Director of Operations. While there he supervised a fantastic administrative and technical team that implemented hundreds of concerts and worked with numerous artists, vendors, and venues. Jacob also paved the way for media to play a stronger role at the Oregon Symphony, producing and directing multiple video projects, as well as implementing the Symphony's first ever paid live stream event.
As the General Manager for the Bozeman Symphony Jacob is excited to take part in the region's thriving arts and music scene, to get to know the Bozeman community and to enjoy the natural splendor that Montana has to offer.
In his off time, you can find Jacob playing his guitar, out in nature, traveling locally and abroad, reading a good book at home, or spending time with his friends and family, most likely playing a fun board game.
