Graham Parker Steps Down as CEO of the Louisville Orchestra

The former president of Decca Records US has led the orchestra for just under three seasons

The Louisville Orchestra has announced the resignation of its CEO Graham Parker, who has been in the post for just under three seasons. Parker cited the need to spend more time with his family as his principal reason for standing down, and he will continue to work with the orchestra in an advisory capacity.

The orchestra's former chief of staff, Nathaniel Koch, will serve as interim director until the board of directors appoints a permanent replacement.

Prior to his time in Louisville, Parker served as President of Decca Records US as part of Universal Music Group.

Highlights of his tenure with the orchestra included two major initiatives: the Creators Corps program, which brings three full-time resident composers to Louisville to create works for the community they’re living in, and the statewide touring initiative, which — with the help of $4.3m in funding from the Kentucky General Assembly — allowed the orchestra to tour the entire Commonwealth of Kentucky.

"I have been inspired by the Louisville Orchestra and the work we have done together," Parker said. "It is some of the proudest of my life and career. The [Louisville Orchestra] is in the strongest position in its lifetime to find another lead executive to chart the next chapter."

"[My] family...have absorbed the impact of me being away 50% of the year as I have commuted back and forth from NYC to Louisville for the last 3.5 years. They have been so supportive but it has taken a toll on all of us, and at the beginning of this year, I decided I couldn’t ask them to pay that toll any longer," he added.

"I’m committed to maintaining that momentum as we enter this next chapter and to supporting the Orchestra’s mission of artistic excellence and community engagement," said Nathaniel Koch.