Jeff Alexander began his tenure as president of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association (CSOA) in January of 2015. Since that time, he has developed a strong working relationship with the CSOA Board of Trustees, Members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO), Chicago Symphony Chorus, the CSOA’s volunteers and administration in support of the artistic, education and financial goals of the organization. He has overseen the activities of the orchestra’s 125th anniversary season; worked in support of the wide range of education and community engagement programs offered by the Negaunee Music Institute at the CSO including the Civic Orchestra of Chicago; represented the CSOA on multiple CSO domestic and international tours, and led a process to develop a strategic plan for the CSOA adopted by the Board of Trustees in June of 2018 as well as a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion plan adopted in October of 2021. He is a strong advocate for the CSOA’s Governing Members, Latino Alliance, African American Network, Overture Council, League and Women’s Board.
Mr. Alexander has led six negotiations for new collective bargaining agreements, three each with the members of the orchestra and the chorus. He has overseen and participated in programs and activities that have raised over $375 million for the CSOA’s annual, endowment and investment funds, as well as a $25 million reduction in long-term debt.
Mr. Alexander joined the CSOA from the Vancouver Symphony Society in Canada, where he served as president and CEO for 14 years, beginning in September 2000. In that position, he served as the chief administrator for the organization, responsible for overseeing board, orchestra, government and community relations, long-range planning and day-to-day management for Western Canada’s largest performing arts organization and Canada’s third largest symphony orchestra. He served on the Board of Directors of Orchestras Canada from 2002 to 2014, including two years each as vice-chair and chair.
Prior to joining the VSO, Mr. Alexander spent 16 years with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra from 1984 to 2000, including 12 as general manager. As such, he was the “second in command” for the sixth oldest and eighth largest orchestra in the United States. From 1982 to 1984, Mr. Alexander served as general manager of the Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra in Texas, and from 1980 to 1982 as general manager of Grapa Concerts in New York City, an artist management firm specializing in organizing Latin American tours for North American and European soloists and ensembles.
In a volunteer role, Mr. Alexander currently serves as President of the Board of the national Symphony, Opera and Ballet Employers’ Electronic Media Association. He is a graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, where he majored in French Horn Performance. He has been married for over 40 years to pianist Keiko Alexander, an active performer, teacher and competition adjudicator and a graduate of the Aichi University of Arts in Nagoya, Japan, and the Juilliard School in New York City.
