The new executive director of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra arrives May 19th. The symphony announced Tuesday that it's hired Peter Gistelinck for the job after a search that lasted six months. Gistelinck is currently the executive director of the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia. He replaces former KSO executive director Jennifer Barlament who left last year to become general manager of the Cleveland Orchestra.
Gistelinck is the son of classical and jazz composer Elias Gistelinck in his native Belgium. He's also worked for orchestras there and in France. He won awards in 1987 and 1990 for "Best Belgian Composition" and was nominated for a Grammy award in 2002.
