Setting the Tempo

As the executive director of the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra, LIZ SCANLON brings together every thread of her personal and professional journey. “I wake up feeling like I am doing exactly what I am supposed to be doing,” she says. “Every part of any job I ever had is combined into this one.”  

Her path to the role began in a music-loving family. She took her first cello lesson when she was just seven years old. After college, Scanlon built a career in arts administration and event planning, working for the New England Conservatory of Music, the Boston Lyric Opera, and the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra & Music School. 

Six years ago, a solo trip to Wilmington scouting for a coastal community for her and her recently retired husband changed everything. After spotting a billboard for Wilmington Symphony Orchestra (WSO) tickets, she discovered an opening for executive director. She joined the Wilmington Symphony staff in September 2019. 

Today, Scanlon serves as the public face of the WSO, overseeing day-to-day operations, safeguarding its financial stability through collaboration with major donors and sponsors, and cultivating relationships with city and county officials as well as fellow Wilmington arts-related organizations. She attends two to three concerts every week to stay closely connected to the region’s music scene, often traveling through North Carolina to Fayetteville, Myrtle Beach, and Greenville, and as far north as New England and west to California. Most recently, Scanlon led the relocation of the WSO administrative office to the Reibman Center on Market Street. 

“What makes the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra especially unique is its deep connection to the community,” Scanlon says. Approximately 95% of its musicians are local residents who hold full-time careers outside of music – doctors, lawyers, pharmacists, teachers, stay-at-home parents, and small-business owners including music studio operators – who come together out of a shared passion for music. “This blend of professional life and artistic passion strengthens the orchestra’s role as a true community ensemble,” Scanlon says. 

That community focus extends to a commitment to education, long a cornerstone of the WSO. Wilmington Symphony Youth Orchestra, founded in 2001, has grown into a vital training ground for young musicians across the region. “I am most proud of the commitment that WSO makes to young musicians,” Scanlon says. “Students learn how to work with each other and build lifelong friendships with other student musicians in youth orchestras. Seeing student musicians go on to become professional musicians is especially rewarding. It makes me happy to see that we are enabling youth to fulfill their dreams.” 

Scanlon’s connection to the orchestra runs deep. She knows every WSO musician by name, their backgrounds and studies, and even details about their families. “It’s part of who we are,” she says. “Ultimately, the WSO is more than an orchestra. It is a community anchor. That connects people of all ages and backgrounds, ensuring that music remains a vital and enduring part of the region’s identity.” 

Looking ahead, Scanlon is guiding the orchestra into a new phase of growth. Plans include the introduction of additional ensembles and significantly expanding after-school programming to reach more students and engage entire families. “By offering opportunities for both participation and attendance, such as making concerts accessible to families, the orchestra will broaden its role from a performance organization to a comprehensive community resource,” she says. 

At the heart of this vision is a fundraising campaign, “A Sound Future,” aimed to support the expanding educational offerings, increasing community access, and delivering long-term organizational stability. WSO also plans to grow programming in surrounding communities across Brunswick County, bringing orchestral music to areas where access has historically been limited, building new audiences and identifying young musicians who may not otherwise have the opportunity.  

“This growth reflects the broader importance of the symphony within our coastal region,” says Scanlon. “Wilmington’s vibrant cultural environment continues to attract new businesses as well as residents, many who are looking for both high-quality arts experiences and meaningful opportunities for their children. The Wilmington Symphony Orchestra is well-positioned to play a key role in meeting that need.” 

To view more of photographer Maggie Beck’s work, go to www.magsphotography.shop.

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