Seattle Symphony Press Kit

Thomas Philion

Executive Director

A seasoned arts administrator, Thomas Philion has earned the respect of music industry executives, noted musicians and musical enthusiasts across the country for his innovative approach to the challenges facing American orchestras – by thinking outside the classical box.

Involved in music from an early age (both his parents played violin), Philion grew up in the suburbs of New York City and Washington, D.C., developing his own musical skills as a bass player for decidedly non-classical acts. He received a degree in English from George Mason University, and entered arts management through his first appointment in the public relations department of the National Symphony at the Kennedy Center.

A successful knack for marketing the arts to both traditional and new audiences led to key marketing and senior management positions with the orchestras of Hartford, Cleveland (including Blossom Music Center), Richmond, Oklahoma City, Buffalo and the Pennsylvania Ballet in Philadelphia. It was in these positions that his wide-ranging knowledge of music and marketing techniques brought innovation; while working with classical music’s greatest artists, he also presented performers as diverse as Tony Bennett, Deborah Harry and Ani DiFranco.

Prior to his March 2007 appointment in Seattle, Philion was President & CEO of the Eastern Music Festival, one of this country’s top summer music festivals. During his seven-year tenure, he successfully transformed the festival’s finances by diversifying its programming while enhancing and building the festival’s core classical programs. Since the 2000 season, revenues from concerts have more than tripled, with over 100 events in five weeks featuring artists from Lynn Harrell, Joshua Bell, André Watts and Hilary Hahn, to Los Straijackets, the Mammals and Alejandro Escovedo.

Philion continues to perform on a regular basis, working with blues, folk, bluegrass and alternative country artists when he can find the time. He has served on a number of not-for-profit boards through the years, including the American Symphony Orchestra League.