Symphony Gets Its 1st General Manager

THOUSAND OAKS — New West Symphony announced Wednesday the appointment of its first general manager, who will oversee financial operations of the county’s largest professional orchestra.

Jim Reeves, who served in a similar position with the Sacramento Symphony, said his goals as symphony general manager are to increase both the number of annual concerts and educational programs.

“How do you get maximum quality with a less than full-time orchestra?” asked Reeves, 56. “You go about it by improving the breadth of the service to the community.”

Reeves, who has been performing general manager duties in an unofficial capacity with New West since June, said his specific plans include scheduling 25% more shows each year and to operate a tight, efficient budget.

As recently as 1998, New West Symphony had struggled with declining contributions and ticket revenue, forcing it to cancel a show in April 1998. The symphony was created in 1995 from the merger of ensembles in Ventura and Thousand Oaks.

Reeves’ 20 years in arts management was attractive to New West staff members. When he presented the annual budget to the board of directors recently, some said it was the most organized, clear budget they had seen, Executive Director Betsy Chess said.

Reeves vowed to keep a lid on expenses.

“Our trains are going to run on time, on schedule and on budget,” Reeves said.

Reeves said he learned of New West Symphony when artistic director Boris Brott guest-conducted the Sacramento Symphony Orchestra in 1995. Reeves said he appreciated Brott’s music professionalism, showmanship and ability to work with musicians.

After the initial meeting, Brott and Reeves kept in touch and eventually began to discuss the possibility of Reeves joining New West.

This summer Reeves moved to Southern California and started working with New West Symphony in June. During his career, Reeves has also served as an administrator for symphonies in New Orleans and Oregon.

Reeves said he got into arts management after he stopped playing the double bass professionally two decades ago. Born and raised in Tulsa, Reeves began playing piano when he was 4. He received a scholarship to the University of Tulsa and completed a master’s degree in music at Indiana University.

It is his on- and off-stage experience that Reeves and his new colleagues believe will help make an impact.

“He’s someone who knows how to run the show and put on the show,” Chess said. “What he brings to New West Symphony is an arts business manager and an arts production manager.”

Reeves is a consummate professional who is well-respected by colleagues around the state, said Kris Saslow , executive director of the Assn. of California Symphony Orchestras.

“He has a lot of experience that will serve New West Symphony and the community well,” she said.