NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Nashville Symphony today announced that Mark Cantrell has stepped down as President and CEO, and that the Board of Directors has appointed Mark Tillinger as President and CEO, effective immediately.
Tillinger brings substantial executive leadership experience, deep local ties to Nashville, and a long history with the Symphony to the role. A former member of the Nashville Symphony Board of Directors for six years, he has remained closely engaged with the organization, including serving on the search committee to hire Music Director Leonard Slatkin. As a senior advisor and limited partner at Recognize, he’s advised portfolio company CEOs in various strategic, transformation, and growth initiatives, expertise the Board believes is essential as the Symphony works to rebuild on a sustainable financial foundation. Tillinger is also a co-founder of Music City Brass Ensemble and the principal tuba in the Nashville Philharmonic Orchestra.
"Mark Tillinger is exactly the right leader for this moment," said Teresa Sebastian, Board Chair of the Nashville Symphony. "He possesses a deep understanding of this organization and this community, and he has the executive experience needed to lead complex financial turnarounds. The Board has full confidence in his ability to carry this restructuring plan forward and build a Nashville Symphony that is financially strong for the long term. We are grateful he has stepped into this role at such a critical time."
Sebastian also thanked Cantrell for his contributions to the Symphony.
"We're grateful to Mark Cantrell for his service to the Nashville Symphony, including his work laying the groundwork for the path that lies ahead,” Sebastian said.
Tillinger said he is committed to building on the work already underway.
"The Nashville Symphony matters deeply to this city, and I'm honored to help lead it through this critical chapter," said Tillinger. "My focus is clear: rebuild our financial foundation, strengthen our fundraising and revenue strategy, and position this organization for a strong, sustainable future. I know this community's love for the Symphony runs deep, and I'm confident that, together, we'll come through this stronger than before."
The Symphony said it will continue to provide updates as its restructuring plan progresses.
About the Nashville Symphony
The Nashville Symphony inspires and engages audiences across Middle Tennessee with extraordinary live orchestral music experiences. Founded in 1946, the Symphony is celebrated for its commitment to contemporary American orchestral music, innovative programming across genres, and a prolific recording legacy, earning 14 GRAMMY® Awards and 27 nominations. Today, the Symphony performs in the world-class, acoustically superb Schermerhorn Symphony Center, and reaches nearly 550,000 Middle Tennesseans annually through its free and low-cost education and community programs. Globally, the orchestra connects with almost 13 million listeners worldwide through its recordings, broadcasts, and streaming activities. The Nashville Symphony is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching its community and inspiring the next generation of music lovers. Learn more at nashvillesymphony.org.
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