Classical Music News

New Jersey Symphony Appoints New President & CEO

December 9, 2024

3 MIN READ

Terry D. Loftis will step into the role in early March 2025

The New Jersey Symphony today announced Terry D. Loftis as the new President & CEO. Beginning in early March, Loftis will join the New Jersey Symphony from his position as Chief Advancement and Revenue Officer of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra (DSO).

In Dallas, he oversaw the fundraising, marketing, special events, and analytical research departments — and oversaw the $100 million five-year endowment campaign. He was also responsible for securing a $10 million endowment gift and was instrumental in getting a $25 million matching gift.

Prior to the DSO, Loftis was the Donna Wilhelm Family President and Executive Director of TACA (The Arts Community Alliance). A Tony-nominated producer of the shows Bandstand and The Visit, he also previously served as Vice President of the Broadway Strategic Return Fund (BSRF) in New York.

"Terry comes to us with a tremendous amount of experience growing and advancing organizations in the arts," said New Jersey Symphony Music Director Xian Zhang. "I am thrilled to have the chance to work with Terry and to make the most of my upcoming seasons as music director of this exceptional organization. I look forward to our time leading together, continuing New Jersey Symphony’s artistic growth and sharing outstanding musical experiences with our beloved donors, subscribers and patrons."

"The New Jersey Symphony is a treasure of an organization, and I am thrilled to join it at such a pivotal moment," Loftis says. "The new Symphony Center opening in Jersey City promises to provide a dynamic arts center to serve all of Hudson County. Of course, the Symphony continues to perform full symphonic works to audiences in six cities throughout New Jersey, while also offering community programs in medical facilities, libraries and schools. I especially admire its Youth Orchestra programs that include Black and Latino youth in the Greater Newark area. I can’t wait to get started, get to know the people of New Jersey and see everyone in the concert halls!"

A Dallas native, and a graduate of the Booker T. Washington High School for the Visual and Performing Arts, Loftis attended Eastfield College for an associate degree in music and political science.

He is a Tony-nominated Broadway producer of Bandstand on Broadway in 2017 which received the Tony for Best Choreography and Orchestration. Additionally, Loftis was Vice President of the Broadway Strategic Return Fund (BSRF) in New York. He was responsible for investor development for BSRF throughout the United States. BSRF was a co-producer of the hit Broadway Musical Hadestown, which received the Best Musical Tony in 2019.

He has served on the boards of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Black Tie Dinner (former chair), Dallas Arts District, Resource Center, Resource Center Foundation, The Dallas Way, the Friends of the Katy Trail, USA Film Festival, and TITAS.

(Photo courtesy: Terry Loftis)