San Diego Symphony Appoints Vice President For Institutional Advancement, and Vice President of Marketing and Communications

San Diego, Calif. – The San Diego Symphony announces today the appointment of two senior management positions that have been open since Autumn 2019: Myra Garcia to Vice President, Institutional Advancement, and Craig Hall to Vice President, Marketing and Communications.

Myra Garcia, Vice President, Institutional Advancement, has served many educational institutions including Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey and Wagner College on Staten Island, New York. Most recently she has held senior positions at the University of La Verne, in La Verne, California, which is dedicated to both traditional age and adult learners, and is one of the most diverse universities in the United States. At La Verne, Garcia initiated a successful $125 million capital campaign and was closely associated with philanthropy linked to LaFetra College of Education which is dedicated to assuring that students become effective educators and advocates for social equity within their community. In addition to La Verne’s campaign, Garcia was instrumental in bringing both the Seton Hall University ($150M ) and Wagner College campaigns to successful conclusions. Garcia began her career as a freelance musician (soprano) before entering the field of advancement, and continues to be passionate about music.

“I am thrilled to join the San Diego Symphony and to return to my musical roots! Under the inspired baton of Rafael Payare and the strong leadership of CEO Martha Gilmer, the Symphony‘s future is bright. I am honored to join the executive team at this pivotal time and to take part in its continued upward trajectory,” said Garcia.

Craig Hall, Vice President, Marketing and Communications, comes to San Diego from the New World Symphony (NWS) in Miami Beach where he has been since 2007 in the roles of Vice President for Communications and Vice President for Audience Engagement, Research and Design. He planned and executed the media launch for the grand opening of the New World Symphony’s 10-year-old concert hall, the Frank Gehry designed New World Center. Hall worked with Music Director Michael Tilson Thomas, NWS’s leadership team and the musicians in the fellowship program in creating dynamic and innovative audience engagement concepts and multi-media platforms. His leadership in research and audience development has been recognized at conferences nationally and internationally. 

“I’m thrilled to join the San Diego staff and musicians in further developing transformative musical experiences that serve and engage the communities in San Diego, and all who experience the programs it has to offer,” said Hall. “As the symphony continues its mission of elevating human potential through a shared sense of pride and belonging, I look forward to working with them in achieving this at The Jacobs Music Center, The Shell^SM, throughout the region and many neighborhoods of San Diego and wherever else this work takes us.” 

“I am so excited that Myra and Craig are both coming on board in these key leadership positions at this pivotal and crucial time in the life of the San Diego Symphony,” said Martha Gilmer, CEO of the San Diego Symphony. “Bringing these two to the San Diego Symphony at this time is strategic as we look to the future and imagine new ways of reaching our audience in this moment when innovation is critical. With their experience we also look to deepen our connection to our community, to anticipate the opening of The Shell as a welcoming place for everyone when we can attend live performances again, and to continue the great momentum the San Diego Symphony Orchestra had leading up to the COVID 19 crisis.”  

About the San Diego Symphony
Founded in 1910, the San Diego Symphony is the oldest orchestra in California and one of the largest and most significant cultural organizations in San Diego. The Orchestra performs for more than 250,000 people each season, offering a wide variety of programming at its two much-loved venues, Copley Symphony Hall in downtown San Diego and The Shell at Embarcadero Marina Park South on San Diego Bay. In early 2018, the San Diego Symphony announced the appointment of Rafael Payare as music director. Payare leads the orchestra’s 82 full-time musicians, graduates of the finest and most celebrated music schools in the United States and abroad. The San Diego Symphony also serves as the orchestra for the San Diego Opera each season, as well as performing at several regional performing arts and community centers. For over 30 years, the San Diego Symphony has provided comprehensive learning and community engagement programs reaching more than 65,000 students annually and bringing innovative programming to San Diego’s diverse neighborhoods and schools. For more information, visit www.sandiegosymphony.org.