St. Olaf names director of college relations for music organizations
St. Olaf Vice President for Enrollment and College Relations Michael Kyle ’85 has announced the appointment of Jean Strohm Parish ’88 as the director of college relations for music organizations.
Parish, who is currently the general manager of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, has more than 25 years of experience in performing arts administration. In her new role at St. Olaf, she will direct and promote the creative, innovative, and entrepreneurial direction of the college’s music organizations, St. Olaf Records, and the St. Olaf Christmas Festival.
She will join the college May 11.
“I am deeply honored to be offered this opportunity to serve St. Olaf College and its music organizations,” Parish says. “I look forward to working collaboratively with faculty, staff, and students, to further the mission and goals of the college, and to build on the tremendous legacy of the music organizations.”
A vocal performance major at St. Olaf, Parish also earned her master of music degree in choral conducting from the University of South Florida.
She began her career as an arts administrator in orchestra management for the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra before moving on to serve as the director of operations for the Chicago Children’s Choir. She then served as the tour and media manager of the New York Philharmonic, where she managed and executed the annual international tours and media activities of the orchestra.
After leaving the New York Philharmonic, Parish spent nearly a decade working as a freelance arts administrator.
Parish has been the general manager of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra since 2009, where, as a senior member of management, she has helped to lead the strategic direction, culture, and evolution of the orchestra. She has oversight of the areas of Operations, Education and Community Engagement, the Liquid Music series, Human Resources, IT, Administration, and Facilities, and throughout her work continually strives to advance the ensemble’s role as a leading advocate for classical music in the Twin Cities.
She will take over at St. Olaf for Bob Johnson, who is retiring this spring after directing the college’s music organizations for 37 years.