Adelaide Symphony Orchestra appoints CEO

Australia’s Adelaide Symphony Orchestra (ASO) has announced the appointment of arts administrator Colin Cornish AM to the role of chief executive officer. Cornish will take over in March 2023 from managing director Vincent Ciccarello who stepped down from the role on 30 September after almost a decade with the orchestra to ‘enable the organisation to refresh’.

Cornish will relocate to his hometown, Adelaide, from Melbourne where he has been CEO of the Australian Youth Orchestra for 17 years. Cornish’s previous experience also includes roles with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and collaborations as a recording producer and musician with orchestras including the Australian Chamber Orchestra.

Cornish said: ‘I grew up in Adelaide, studied at the Elder Conservatorium of Music and played violin with the ASO as a casual musician when I left university, so the ASO has always held a special place in my heart. The high respect in which the ASO is held is obvious every time I talk to artists and conductors anywhere around Australia and the world.’

Established in 1936, the ASO is South Australia’s largest performing arts organisation welcoming more than 100,000 concertgoers each season. Cornish's appointment follows the news of the appointment of Kate Suthers to the role of concertmaster with the ASO, as well as that of violinist Emily Sun who will become the orchestras 2023 artist in association and composer Jakub Jankowski who will be the orchestra’s inaugural emerging composer in association.

ASO chair Andrew Daniels said: ‘We undertook a very thorough global search because leadership of an orchestra of this standing requires a specific skill set and a genuine passion for the arts and arts community. In Colin, we have secured someone who is completely in tune with the ASO’s future direction. He brings with him outstanding experience, both in terms of his strategic approach and his musical understanding.’

Since joining the Australian Youth Orchestra in 2005, Colin has overseen a period of growth for the orchestra, with five international tours, the launch of new projects and the forging of corporate and philanthropic partnerships for the orchestra. Cornish was awarded a Member in the Order of Australia in recognition of his contributions to performing arts, music and youth in last year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours.