The Chippewa Valley Symphony Orchestra will enter its 44th season – the first to hold performances in the soon-to-open Pablo Center at the Confluence – with a new executive director. Jillian Phillips, a UW-Eau Claire graduate with an MA from the University of Nebraska, Omaha, was appointed to the position in July. Phillips has been involved with the Chippewa Valley performing arts community for more than a decade, having volunteered with the Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild and the Eau Claire Children’s Theatre since 2006.

“With the transition to the Pablo Center at the Confluence, this season is going to be full of new experiences, both for the Symphony Orchestra and its patrons,” Phillips said. “The concert space is beautiful and the community is definitely going to enjoy a bit of glamour.”

Phillips will focus intensely on marketing and promotion throughout the season, which officially begins Oct 6. She aims to drive home the main idea behind the Symphony Orchestra: Music you love, by people you know. “I want to be sure that as we grow, the community feels connected to all of us,” Phillips said.

A meet-and-greet will be held Aug. 8 at 6pm at Lazy Monk Brewing for community members to welcome the new director. “It’s exciting, and with each passing day, I get to meet more new people, learn new things, and contribute to this fabulous community project,” Phillips said.