(Princeton, NJ) -- The Board of Trustees of the Princeton Symphony Orchestra (PSO) is pleased to announce the appointment of Marc Uys as Executive Director following a nationwide search conducted by an executive recruiting firm specializing in the arts. Mr. Uys (pronounced “ace”) has served as Manager of Artistic Operations of the PSO since August 2014. He will succeed Melanie Clarke on July 1. She is stepping down after 25 years of service to the PSO.
The PSO Board Search Committee unanimously recommended Mr. Uys’ appointment. Speaking on behalf of the Committee and the Board of Trustees, Committee Chairman Michael Gehret said, “We were able to identify and meet with a group of outstanding candidates from around the country. It is gratifying that we were able to find the best person for the job on the Princeton Symphony Orchestra’s staff. Marc’s familiarity with the organization and members of the Orchestra and his close relationship with Maestro Milanov are tremendous assets.”
As Manager of Artistic Operations, Mr. Uys also oversaw the orchestra’s BRAVO! education programs which benefit some 10,000 students at more than 30 area schools. At the PSO, he has worked closely with Music Director Rossen Milanov. “I am very excited to welcome Marc in his new role as Executive Director of the PSO,” Mr. Milanov said. “His dedication to the organization, love for music, and enthusiasm make him a great choice. He will be a great partner as we build together the future of the PSO, continuing its impressive impact on our community.”
Drawing upon the PSO’s exceptional network of musicians, Mr. Uys has secured top talent to perform at fundraising events, give presentations, and participate in the orchestra’s free Chamber Series at the Institute for Advanced Study. Working with Mr. Milanov, he successfully reconfigured the PSO’s popular Saturday Evening POPS! concert into a Silver Screen Salute, negotiating performance rights to movie scores and establishing a new community relationship with The Princeton Garden Theatre. This season, Mr. Uys produced a special first-time performance of Strauss Waltzes by members of the PSO at its spring gala, the most successful fundraiser in the history of the PSO.
Prior to joining the PSO, Mr. Uys was Manager of the South African-based Sontonga Quartet, coordinating an extensive tour schedule, securing media attention and maintaining sponsor relationships while serving as first violinist. He organized the quartet’s education initiative, performing for thousands of school children, coordinated master classes at universities, and commissioned new works. He was also contractor for a National Tour of South Africa of the tango opera María de Buenos Aires by Ástor Piazzolla. He is known for being an innovative concert producer, introducing instrumental performances in South Africa’s limestone caves, including the Sterkfontein site, “The Cradle of Humankind.” He also created the popular Late Night Sessions at the National Festival of the Arts in Grahamstown, SA. Since 2012, he’s served as Board President of Arcos Orchestra in New York City, overseeing two highly successful European tours.
Mr. Uys received his Master and Bachelor of Music degrees with honors from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. He recently moved to Princeton from New York with his wife Jacqueline Kerrod, a professional harpist.
Photo of Marc Uys by Leo Sorel.
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