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Thursday, June 16, 2016 // Toronto – Soundstreams is pleased to announce the appointment of Ben Dietschi as Executive Director effective immediately. After diligently serving as Interim General Manager of the leading contemporary music company for the past six months, and following a rigorous recruitment process led by cultural executive search firm Searchlight Recruitment, Soundstreams determined Dietschi’s intimate knowledge of nearly every facet of the company, and more than three years with the organization, made him the best suited candidate to lead Soundstreams into its 34^th season and beyond.

Since joining Soundstreams in 2013, Dietschi has been responsible for developing key partnerships and strategic initiatives, and expanding funding and programming opportunities. “From Metcalf fellow, to Outreach Programs Manager, to Associate Director of External Relations, Ben has proven himself to be an invaluable member of the Soundstreams team,” said Soundstreams Artistic Director, Lawrence Cherney. “Ben combines outstanding qualities rarely found in an arts administrator. He has a deep understanding of artistic issues through his performing background and a real talent for bringing long-term vision to the minutiae of everyday business. It’s a powerful combination that will strongly lead us to new levels of achievement.”

“During his recent tenure as Interim General Manager, Ben led the company through the second half of one of the most demanding programming seasons in Soundstreams history,” said Soundstreams Board Co-Chair, Daniel Weinzweig. “We are lucky to have Ben during this important period of growth for Soundstreams.”

In addition to having spent three years in key roles at Soundstreams, Dietschi earned degrees in Music Performance and Composition from Brandon University and University of Toronto. Shortly after completing his education he toured internationally as a saxophonist with the jazz ensemble, Tunnel Six. Shortly after launching the indie new music company Spectrum Music in 2010, Dietschi was granted a highly coveted fellowship with the Metcalf Foundation.

“I am so grateful to have the opportunity to lead such an important player on the global contemporary music scene,” said Ben Dietschi, newly appointed Executive Director of Soundstreams. “It’s a big job, but I am up for the task and eager to demonstrate how my training and experience have uniquely prepared me to build on the momentum and international attention Soundstreams has. I look forward to taking the company into new, innovative and exciting territory.” In addition to his career as an arts administrator, Dietschi is also a music curator of engaging music programming at Spectrum Music and the Music Gallery, and he sits on the board of Theatre Passe Muraille.

With record advance subscription sales for the 2016/17 season, Soundstreams is firmly established as one of Canada and the world’s leading contemporary music companies, featuring bold thematic programs as part of its mainstage series, intimate and experimental Ear Candy series, Salon 21 outreach series in partnership with the Gardiner Museum and the Toronto Public Library, as well as SoundMakers and the Emerging Composer Workshop.

The 2016/17 season will showcase immersive experiences for audiences through an increased focus on staging, lighting, music theatre and unique venues. Season highlights include: Odditorium, acclaimed theatre director Chris Abraham’s staging of music theatre works by R. Murray Schafer at the brand new Crow’s Theatre in Toronto’s Leslieville; visits from the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir and South Africa’s Nelson Mandela University Choir; world premieres by rising Canadian composers Anna Höstman, Gabriel Dharmoo, Riho Esko Maimets, and Omar Daniel; and a collaboration with The Royal Conservatory of Music’s 21C Music Festival featuring composers Unsuk Chin and Chris Paul Harman.

ABOUT SOUNDSTREAMS
Led by Artistic Director Lawrence Cherney, Soundstreams showcases the work of Canadian and international composers with a focus on innovative thematic and experiential programming. In collaboration with the finest Canadian and international artists, Soundstreams presents two annual concert series in Toronto as well as national and international tours. Soundstreams also serves the larger community through our free Salon 21 series at The Gardiner Museum, composer training activities, SoundWave program for music lovers age 35 and under, and digital performance space, including concert recordings, SoundMakers website, and video content.

SOUNDSTREAMS SUPPORTERS
Soundstreams acknowledges the support of: Department of Canadian Heritage, Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council, TD Bank, BMO Financial Group, The Mary-Margaret Webb Foundation, Metcalf Foundation, The Koerner Foundation, SOCAN Foundation, The Catherine and Maxwell Meighen Foundation, The RBC Emerging Artists Project, The Hal Jackman Foundation, Lloyd Carr-Harris Foundation, Ontario Arts Foundation, Classical 96.3 FM, NOW Magazine, The Gardiner Museum, Sovereign State, Harbord Bakery, Steam Whistle Brewery, and our circle of generous individual supporters.

For more information please contact:
Kim Alison Fraser, Interim Director of Marketing & Public Relations, 416-504-1282, ext. 102