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February 12, 2025

Portland Symphony's 100th season will also be the last for executive director

By Renee Cordes
Carolyn Nishon of the PSO
File photo / Tim Greenway
Carolyn Nishon

After 17 years with the Portland Symphony Orchestra and a decade as executive director, Carolyn Nishon will step down after this season wraps up.

"It's been an immense honor to have been part of an incredible legacy of music and, as the PSO closes the chapter on its first century, I can’t think of a better time to pass the baton to its next executive director to usher in a new one,” she said in Wednesday’s announcement.

Nishon plans to stay in her position until the end of July. In coming months, she said she plans to focus on the culmination of the orchestra’s 100th anniversary season and supporting the organization through its transition to the next chapter.

'Much more ahead'

Noting that previous executive director searches have taken six months, Nishon said she is confident the organization will find a leader “to shepherd the symphony on its future path.”

“One hundred years is just the beginning,” she said.”There is still so much more ahead that I can’t wait for you to see.”

Nishon has not said what she plans to do in her own next chapter. 

She was a Mainebiz 40 Under 40 honoree in 2022, the first year of the awards program.

In her honoree profile, she highlighted navigating the Portland Symphony through the pandemic as a significant professional accomplishment. 

“We remained and continue to be focused on the health and safety of the musicians, staff and audience while making music for our community,” she said at the time. "I clicked PSO TV on my ROKU, and had the sounds and images of the PSO fill my living room. I was so proud of the whole organization.”

On stage, the Portland Symphony Orchestra has been led by Music Director Eckart Preu since 2019.

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