SEATTLE SYMPHONY APPOINTS RAFF WILSON AS NEW VICE PRESIDENT OF ARTISTIC PLANNING

WILSON JOINS FROM THE SYDNEY SYMPHONY AND WILL ASSUME HIS NEW ROLE ON APRIL 13 

Raff Wilson. Photo by Keith Friendship / Monte Luke Photography

SEATTLE, WA – Seattle Symphony President & CEO Krishna Thiagarajan has named Raff Wilson as the orchestra’s new Vice President of Artistic Planning, joining the orchestra on April 13.  

With extensive experience as an artistic leader in the orchestral field, Wilson’s strategic planning and artistic collaborations throughout Australia and Asia have garnered widespread admiration for his innovative programming. Wilson joins Seattle from the Sydney Symphony, where he was most recently the Director of Artistic Planning.   

From 2010 to 2017, Wilson was the Director of Artistic Planning for the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. There, he led the search for Music Director Jaap van Zweden, reestablished the orchestra’s symphonic chorus, and cast the first undertaking of Richard Wagner’s Ring Cycle by a Chinese orchestra, which was later released to international acclaim with the Naxos label. Additionally, Wilson was integral to the creation of Hong Kong’s Assistant Conductor position and spearheaded the development of the orchestra’s 3-year composer residency.  

Wilson developed numerous innovative concert projects combining orchestra, words and imagery. Among them were Sinfonia Antartica, which told the story of Robert Falcon Scott’s Antarctic expedition using original source materials and music by Ralph Vaughan Williams; A Night at the Speakeasy, which featured singing, dancing and burlesque from the time of Prohibition; and innovatively staged concert performances of Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.  

As a senior member of the Seattle Symphony’s leadership team, Wilson will be responsible for leading and executing the Seattle Symphony’s multi-year artistic strategies in collaboration with Music Director Thomas Dausgaard. In addition to overseeing all programming for the orchestra, Wilson will also be responsible for Benaroya Hall programming, which includes touring ensembles and artists. 

“I look forward to working with Raff and Thomas in shaping the future of the Seattle Symphony,” states President & CEO Krishna Thiagarajan. “Raff, having worked with the finest musicians in the industry, impressed everyone on the committee with his extensive repertoire knowledge and creativity. He is a wonderful addition to our team and to the Seattle cultural scene.” 

“A very warm welcome to Raff Wilson,” shares Music Director Thomas Dausgaard. “I am excited to be working with him again, following our collaborations in Hong Kong when he was their Director of Artistic Planning. He brings with him a breadth of international experience and a unique perspective which will prove invaluable for our local and international endeavors. I am looking forward to an inspirational synergy as we take the next important steps for the Seattle Symphony.” 

Raff Wilson comments, “I am truly inspired to join the Seattle Symphony and Thomas Dausgaard at this exciting time. A great orchestra embodies its city, and the dynamism and unique energy of Seattle are reflected in the wonderful Seattle Symphony musicians at Benaroya Hall. I cannot wait to work with them to create unmissable concert seasons.” 

RAFF WILSON | VICE PRESIDENT OF ARTISTIC PLANNING

Raff Wilson’s 20-year career in the orchestral sector has included key artistic leadership positions in Sydney and Hong Kong.

He began his professional life with music publishers Boosey & Hawkes and Alfred Publishing in support of Australian composers, orchestras and music education. He joined the network of Symphony Services International and the national classical music broadcaster ABC Classic FM, training in recording production and artistic administration.  

As the Director of Artistic Planning at the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, he worked with music directors Jaap van Zweden and Edo de Waart, contributing to major developments in the orchestra’s artistic evolution. Highlights included an acclaimed performance of Wagner’s Ring cycle — the first undertaken by a Chinese orchestra — with a major international cast conducted by Jaap van Zweden, recorded on the Naxos label; tours of China and Europe; a multi-year commissioning project; and concert collaborations with Lorin Maazel, Christoph Eschenbach, Yo-Yo Ma, Yu Long and Tan Dun. 

At the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Wilson worked with David Robertson and Vladimir Ashkenazy to realize the artistic ambitions of Australia’s busiest orchestra, resident at the Sydney Opera House. Most recently, he has helped secure the appointment of Simone Young as the orchestra’s next Chief Conductor. 

He holds a Bachelor of Arts with honors degree in languages from the University of Sydney and studied as a singer in London and Sydney. He is delighted to devote his skills to the service of music.

SEATTLE SYMPHONY

Led by Music Director Thomas Dausgaard, the Seattle Symphony unleashes the power of music, brings people together and lifts the human spirit. Recognized as one of the “most vital American orchestras” (NPR), the Seattle Symphony is internationally acclaimed for its inventive programming, community-minded initiatives and superb recordings on the Seattle Symphony Media label. With a strong commitment to new music and a legacy of over 150 recordings, the orchestra has garnered five Grammy Awards, 26 Grammy nominations, two Emmy Awards and was named Gramophone’s 2018 Orchestra of the Year. The Symphony performs in Benaroya Hall in the heart of downtown Seattle from September through July, reaching over 500,000 people annually through live performances and radio broadcasts.

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