Dear Colleagues and Students,
I am pleased to announce that Matthew Loden, an award-winning musician and symphony leader currently serving as the CEO of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, will become the next dean of Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music.
Matthew, a former director of admissions at the Shepherd School, will bring his expertise back to campus when he assumes the role of dean Oct. 1. His selection comes after an international search was launched in the wake of Robert Yekovich’s announcement last fall that he will step down as dean after 18 years in the position. Robert will stay on as dean until Sept. 30.
Matthew comes to Rice with an abundance of experience as a talented musician and a strong leader. He has performed around the world, judged competitions, served as a speaker for national conferences and been a music panelist and university lecturer. He's also worked as an adviser and mentor with some of the top music training programs throughout the U.S., including the League of American Orchestras Management Fellowship program, a premier leadership training program designed to launch executive careers in orchestra management.
After graduating from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and the University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music with bachelor's and master's degrees in violin performance, Matthew built an extensive resume performing in a diverse range of venues and genres.
Since becoming CEO of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in July 2018, he has redefined the role of an orchestra in a diverse international city and has established numerous strategic initiatives to expand the community’s accessibility to classical music. Before assuming his role in Toronto, Matthew served as interim co-president of the Philadelphia Orchestra and as its executive vice president for institutional advancement, with responsibility for sustaining strategic direction and overseeing all board, philanthropic, communications and external relations efforts. He also served as board secretary for the Academy of Music, with oversight over the oldest opera house in the U.S., and was executive liaison with the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.
Before moving to Philadelphia, Matthew was vice president and general manager at the Aspen Music Festival and School, where he supervised operations for approximately 400 musical events each summer, including five orchestras, opera productions, chamber music programs, master classes and lectures for 650 students. Other past roles include serving as artistic director of Young Audiences Inc. of Houston, where he managed artistic programming for a roster of 100 artists and ensembles, designed in-school performances, workshops and residency programs and created innovative arts partnerships.
Matthew will undoubtedly be able to attract the high-caliber faculty and students for which the Shepherd School is known. He has led and managed some of the most prestigious music organizations in the world and has a track record of being a collaborative leader who is able to connect with various types of audiences. I am extremely excited about having him back at Rice and at the helm of one of our university’s crown jewels.
If you want to know more about Matthew, please read the Rice News story highlighting his appointment. I hope you’ll join me in congratulating him on his new role at Rice, and thanking Robert for his almost two decades of service.
Kind regards,
Reginald DesRoches, Provost