Richard Krumdieck (right) with his wife, Sally, and President and CEO David Fisk (left) at the Charlotte Symphony's 2023 Annual Gala

We recently caught up with Richard Krumdieck, the new Board Chair of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, to discuss his passion for music, his journey with the Symphony, and his exciting vision for the future.

How did you begin your journey with music?
Music has always played a central role in my life. Both my parents were from Peru and loved classical music. My father had an extensive collection of classical albums, and my first experience with music was listening to those albums with him on his stereo. One that I especially loved was the Mozart Clarinet Concerto, performed by English clarinetist Jack Brymer. That inspired me to choose the clarinet, and I played in my community youth orchestras and continued studying music through college. For a time, I even considered a career as an orchestral clarinetist, but ultimately, I pursued medicine. However, I have always loved music and deeply admire those who choose to pursue a career in the arts. Even as a young adult, I made a commitment that I would support the arts in any way I could.

Do you still play the clarinet?
I do still play! I take private lessons from Taylor Marino, the CSO's Principal Clarinetist, and perform with community orchestras and community bands. I also enjoy getting together with friends on occasion to play chamber music.

How did you first become aware of the Charlotte Symphony?
I was aware of the Charlotte Symphony before I even moved to the area in the late 1990s. A friend of mine sang in what was then called the Symphony Chorus -- now the Charlotte Master Chorale -- and invited me to a performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. I was very impressed with the level of artistry; that was my first exposure to the CSO. After moving to Charlotte, I became a regular concertgoer and began supporting the Symphony with philanthropic gifts. I was later invited to become a trustee, which deepened my connection to the organization. I became more aware not only of the high level or artistry but also of the organization's values, which align closely with many of my own.

Is there a particular initiative or program at the CSO that resonates with you personally?
Yes, there are several! Two that are particularly important to me involve increasing access to classical music performances, such as moving concerts outside of the traditional concert hall and directly into the community using non-traditional venues like breweries or our new mobile stage, CSO Roadshow. The initiative that is most important to me, however, is providing music education for our youth. I was extraordinarily privileged to have a music education, and I believe every child should have the opportunity to learn music and play an instrument if they desire. The skills learned through music -- such as practice, perseverance, listening, compromise, and collaboration -- are invaluable, whether or not one pursues a career in the arts. The skills I learned from music have served me very well in my career in medicine.

How do you envision the CSO evolving over the next few years?
I believe the CSO is at a very positive inflection point. Under Christopher Warren-Green, the Orchestra achieved significant artistic growth, and I'm eager to see this continue under the direction of new Music Director Kwamé Ryan. I also envision the Charlotte Symphony becoming a more integral part of the Charlotte community and for us to communicate more effectively about the essential role we play in enriching the cultural landscape here.

What are you most looking forward to in your new role as Chair?
I am excited to foster a spirit of collaboration within the CSO and help realize our shared artistic vision. I am also eager to be a strong advocate for the Symphony in our community.

Is there a message you hope to convey to the community through your work with the CSO?
I want to emphasize the essential role that the CSO plays in Charlotte. By providing quality live classical performances, bridging communities through collaboration with other arts organizations like the Charlotte Ballet and Opera Carolina, and our commitment to music education, we're not just an orchestra -- we're a cornerstone of the community! The CSO helps makes Charlotte a vibrant place to live and work, which attracts new businesses to the area.