Graham Parker, the Executive Director of Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, a three-time winner of the WorldBlu List award, was recently awarded the Helen M. Thompson Award from the League of American Orchestras.

Richard S. Lannamann details the award in the press release below.

“Graham Parker has received a major award from the League of American Orchestras ­ the Helen M. Thompson Award. Graham was presented this award this morning during a session of the League¹s 64th Annual Conference in Chicago.

The Helen M. Thompson Award is a great honor, both to Graham and to Orpheus. It is given to an early-career executive director who exhibits excellence and dedication to his/her orchestra through exceptional leadership and commitment to organizational vitality. It is of prime importance that the winner of this award demonstrates extraordinary achievement and commitment to the field of orchestra management and possesses potential for continued growth. The winner must display achievements in the following categories:

Fostering outstanding artistic growth

Expanding the orchestras programmatic scope

Managing strategic growth of the organization

Accomplishing a financial turnaround

Engaging the community in the life of the orchestra

Demonstrating exemplary leadership in staff, board, and musician relations

This award was created in 1981 to celebrate the life and work of Helen M. Thompson, the person who, more than any other, developed and promoted the cause of the symphony orchestra in the United States. Beginning in 1943, Helen Thompson¹s 27 years of inspired leadership and service to the League encouraged smaller-budget orchestras to develop high standards and to serve their communities well.”