Monterey Symphony

RETURN TO STAFF

Joseph Truskot, Executive Director; jtruskot@montereysymphony.org

Joseph Truskot was appointed Executive Director of the Monterey County Symphony Association, Inc. in September 1990. He heads all management activities of the 2 million dollar professional orchestra including management of artistic and administrative personnel, fundraising, marketing, publicity, finance, and trustee support.

During Mr. Truskot's time at the orchestra, he led the institution into a successful long range planning process, guided the selection of two new music directors, organized numerous celebrations including the 50th and 60th anniversaries of the orchestra and the reopening of Carmel's Sunset Theater, and professionalized all aspects of the administration. He guided the expansion of the orchestra's In School Demonstration Program into all public and private schools in Monterey and San Benito Counties. The orchestra's operating budget has grown from $697,832 in FY90 to $2,100,000 in FY07. He also assisted the orchestra in reorganizing and revitalizing the Friends of the Monterey Symphony, its volunteer auxiliary.

Prior to joining the 62-year-old orchestra, Joseph Truskot served as Director of Training of the American Symphony Orchestra League in Washington, D.C. During his nine-year tenure at the League, the Nation's arts service organization for orchestras, Mr. Truskot was responsible for setting up national conferences, seminars, and workshops that trained administrators, trustees, and volunteers. He managed all aspects of the Orchestra Management Fellowship Program and was the national liaison for orchestra education directors. He published several books including "Principles of Orchestra Management," "Orchestra Education Handbook," and numerous other articles, manuals, and resource materials.

Joseph Truskot received a Master's Degree in International Administration from the School for International Training in Brattleboro, Vermont and a Bachelor of Science in Education from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Mr. Truskot was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Iran and Management Intern for C.A.R.E. Inc. in Belize, Central America. He was born and raised in Lorain, Ohio.

Currently, Mr. Truskot is director emeritus (and past president) of the Association of California Symphony Orchestras. He is a past board member of the National Steinbeck Center -- a multi-million dollar archives and museum in Salinas. An avid gardener and consulting rosarian, Truskot serves as the editor of The Bay Rose, the award-winning newsletter of the Monterey Bay Rose Society. He is a member of the National Peace Corps Association, Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Northern California, the American Contract Bridge League and the American Rose Society. He resides in Salinas, California.