Alan Austin
Houston,TX
Summary
Accomplished General/Artistic Director at the University of Houston, adept in schedule management and fostering team creativity, significantly increased audience attendance. Leveraged orchestra background and exceptional communication skills to establish strong industry relationships, ensuring artistic excellence and efficient project execution. Expert in orchestrating large-scale music festivals and mentoring emerging talent.
Overview
39
39
years of professional experience
Work History
General/Artistic Director, Texas Music Festival
University of Houston
09.1999 - Current
- Artistic planning for three orchestral concerts and chamber concerts, including choosing repertoire, conductors, orchestral soloists, and performers.
- Rehearsal scheduling, ensuring efficient use of time while maintaining high artistic standards throughout th process.
- Hiring of faculty (approx. 40) and seasonal staff (8).
- Interfacing with all artists and artist managers on all matters (contract negotiation, travel, schedule, etc.).
- Development of all printed materials (recruitment posters and brochures, summer concert calendar, program) and oversight of mailings, including maintaining a database of recruitment contacts and potential and former students.
- Processing student applications, organizing auditions, both live and online (Acceptd), for student participants.
- Creating festival Master Schedule in conjunction with Moores School Summer schedule.
- Organizing Cynthia Woods Mitchell-Ima Hogg Young Artist Competition, including preliminary and final rounds of auditions, hiring judges, etc.
- Facilitate communication between all team members, fostering a positive work environment for creativity to thrive.
- Increased audience attendance through engaging marketing campaigns that showcased the artistic talent of the ensemble.
- Established and maintained productive, professional working relationships with conductors, soloists, faculty, and industry professionals.
- Managed festival's budget and interacted with foundations, sponsors, and donors to obtain operating funds.
- Created arts organization's seasonal performance and exhibition program and selected performers and artists for upcoming events.
- Proactively addressed and resolved conflicts within the team, maintaining a harmonious work environment conducive to artistic excellence.
- Collaborated with marketing and advertising teams to maintain brand consistency across campaigns.
Dir. of Special Projects - Moores School of Music
University of Houston
09.1999 - 05.2023
- Director, A.I. Lack Master Series: Coordinated invitations, campus visits and master class details with guests such as Christoph Eschenbach, Frederica von Stade, Paul Kantor, Karen Tuttle, Marilyn Horne, Gail Williams, Sylvia Rosenberg, Richard Rodney Bennett, Nico Castel, Roland and Almita Vamos, Christopher Hogwood, Phillip Glass, Marin Alsop, Paula Robison, DaXun Zhang, Ruth Ann Swenson, Kathleen Winkler, James Dunham, Paul Ellison, Sergei Leiferkus, Time for 3, among many others.
- Director, International Piano Festival: Coordinated invitations, programming, contracts and travel for Abbey Simon and multiple guest artists each year (until Simon's retirement in 2019) for a weekend of recitals and masterclasses. Initiated the Artists Conversation Luncheon, an informal and interactive exchange between the artists and public. Guests include a veritable Who's Who's of great pianists over the decades.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
Violinist
Various
03.1986 - Current
- Selected performing experience: Ars Lyrica Houston, Bach Society Houston, St. Cecilia Baroque Festival (Austin, TX), Dallas Bach Society, Houston Grand Opera Orchestra, Houston Ballet Orchestra, Winston-Salem Symphony (NC)
- Researched and incorporated historical performance practices to provide authentic performances of Baroque and Classical music repertoire.
- Maintained strong professional network through networking with industry professionals and attending conferences or workshops.
- Served as adjunct faculty at UH Moores School of Music (Baroque violin, chamber music) and University of St. Thomas.
Musician Contractor
Various
01.1990 - Current
- Assembled ensembles with other musicians and choirs for Houston area groups, including Houston Chamber Choir, Houston Children’s Chorus, Grace Presbyterian Church, St. Paul’s United Methodist, among others
- Handled finances and contracts related to music projects, ensuring fair compensation and professional agreements per AFM-Houston scales.
- Managed multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining strict adherence to deadlines and budgets.
Education
Master of Music - Violin Performance
University of Houston
Houston, TX05.1993
Bachelor of Music, Summa Cum Laude - Violin Performance
University of Houston
Houston, TX05.1991
High School Diploma -
North Carolina School of The Arts
Winston-Salem, NC05.1986
Skills
- Scheduling Coordination
- Personnel Management
- Artistic Direction
- Budget Development
- Concert production
- Repertoire Selection
- Fundraising expertise
- Donor Cultivation
- Audition Coordination
- Attention to Detail
- Multitasking
Timeline
General/Artistic Director, Texas Music Festival
University of Houston
09.1999 - Current
Dir. of Special Projects - Moores School of Music
University of Houston
09.1999 - 05.2023
Musician Contractor
Various
01.1990 - Current
Violinist
Various
03.1986 - Current
Master of Music - Violin Performance
University of Houston
Bachelor of Music, Summa Cum Laude - Violin Performance
University of Houston
High School Diploma -
North Carolina School of The Arts
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