Dallas Arts

The Dallas Symphony Orchestra has announced that Douglas W. Adams has been named as the DSO’s new president, and will assume his duties on September 8, 2008. Adams has been the president and CEO of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra for the past six years.

“I find the chance to work with this exceptionally talented group of musicians, Music Director Jaap van Zweden and the dedicated board and staff of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra absolutely irresistible,” says Adams. “To be able to pursue this mission in Dallas, which has a demonstrated commitment to being recognized as one of the truly great cultural centers of the world, is especially rewarding.”

Under Adams’ leadership, the CSO has posted six consecutive years of in-the-black financial performance and seen an increase in ticket sales of more than 40%. The CSO’s artistic reputation has also grown under Adams’ guidance and is now recognized as one of the country’s outstanding regional symphonies. In addition, during Adams’ tenure with the CSO, he led the campaign to win voter approval of $60 million dollars in bond funds; funds slated to be used for a major renovation of Denver’s Boettcher Concert Hall and the construction of a new symphony center.

This appointment marks a homecoming for native Texan Adams, who joined the CSO after working in Dallas for many years during his 28-year career; most recently as general manager of the Dallas Symphony under former DSO President and CEO Eugene Bonelli. As general manager of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra from 1999 to 2002, Adams managed all business aspects of the orchestra and administration.

“We were thrilled with the high-caliber of candidates we interviewed from across the nation who also were very interested in leading the DSO,” said Blaine Nelson, DSO Board chair and chair of the DSO’s search committee. “But after an exhaustive search, it became clear that Doug’s experience and skill set was the perfect fit for our orchestra, staff and the Dallas community. Doug was the unanimous choice of the search committee and the executive board of the Dallas Symphony Association.”

DSO Music Director Jaap van Zweden is also looking forward to Adams’ arrival. “I am impressed by what Doug has accomplished in Denver, and I am happy that we have found someone that has such a great love for this city,” said van Zweden. “I look forward to working with him to raise the Dallas Symphony’s artistic profile locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.”

Prior to his appointment at the Dallas Symphony as general manager, Adams had a highly successful career in television. For nine years he was the president and general manager of KXAS-TV in Dallas-Fort Worth — recognized as one of the most successful television operations in the United States.

Adams’ accomplishments also include serving as president of NBC Affiliates Board; chairman of the Dallas Business Committee for the Arts; and national vice president of the Muscular Dystrophy Association. He has also served on numerous boards; most notably as a member of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s Board of Governors and Executive Committee for ten years.

Doug Adams follows Fred Bronstein, the DSO’s former president and CEO who resigned this past February to become executive director of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. Since then, Sam Self, former DSO Board member and Texas Instruments executive, has been interim president & CEO.

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