Managing Director
Matthew VanBesien
MATTHEW VANBESIEN
Managing Director
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Matthew VanBesien was appointed to the position of Managing Director of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in August 2009. He commenced work in this position in February 2010.
In 2005, Matthew VanBesien assumed the role of Executive Director/CEO of the Houston Symphony. He was promoted from the post of General Manager, a role in which he served beginning in 2003. As Executive Director/CEO, VanBesien oversaw the administration, artistic operations, marketing, development and finances for the organization that has an annual budget of approximately $24 million.
VanBesien completed the League of American Orchestra’s Orchestra Management Fellowship Program in 2001 - 2002, a highly selective year-long management training program designed to develop orchestral leadership talent. During his Fellowship program, VanBesien worked at the Aspen Music Festival, the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, the Phoenix Symphony and the Pittsburgh Symphony.
A native of St. Louis, Missouri, VanBesien earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Indiana University in French horn performance. As a professional musician, he performed as second French hornist in the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra in New Orleans from 1992 – 2000. In addition, he served on the orchestra’s Executive Committee. During this time, he also served as the Artistic and Production Manager at the Breckenridge (CO) Music Festival in 1998, and taught as an adjunct music faculty member at Tulane University.
VanBesien lives in Melbourne with his wife, Rosanne Jowitt, a geoscientist. They enjoy traveling, cooking and entertaining, and collecting fine wines.
