SANTA ANA, Calif. – At its annual meeting Wednesday, July 25, the members of the Association of California Symphony Orchestras (ACSO) confirmed the election of Pacific Chorale President and CEO Kelly Ruggirello as its new president.

The meeting took place in San Francisco during ACSO’s annual conference for state industry leaders.

Beginning Oct. 1, Ruggirello will serve a one-year term in a volunteer capacity as head of ACSO’s board, which is comprised of leaders from the classical music community throughout the state of California.

Ruggirello states, “As a passionate advocate for and grateful recipient of the transformative power of music, I enthusiastically embrace my new role as president of ACSO’s Board of Directors,” Ruggirello said. “I look forward to working with the exemplary staff and board to assist our state’s musical organizations in achieving their dreams.”

ACSO Executive Director Kris Sinclair said, “We are very much looking forward to Kelly's thoughtful, enthusiastic leadership of the Association. She is the right woman at the right time, with the intelligence and passion to lead our statewide orchestra and choral association.”

Kelly Ruggirello was named president and CEO of Pacific Chorale in May 2004. Her experience in fundraising, public relations, marketing, operations and education, combined with a vocal performance background, won her the position following a nationwide search.

Over the course of more than 24 years in arts management, Ruggirello has raised more than $50 million for California nonprofit arts organizations. Prior to her position with Pacific Chorale, she has worked for the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Pacific Symphony and Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra, Orange County School of the Arts, and the Long Beach Mozart Festival.

Ruggirello is a consultant with local, regional and national choruses, orchestras and arts schools and serves as a presenter at state and national conferences.

The Association of California Symphony Orchestras (ACSO) is a nonprofit membership association providing leadership and services to classical music producers and presenters in California and the region encouraging and supporting their artistic, organizational, and fiscal development.

Membership is open to orchestras, choruses and classical music presenters of all sizes, symphony leagues and guilds, youth orchestras, festivals, artist management firms, businesses, and individuals associated with orchestras or wishing to access its services.

ACSO is governed by a 21-member Board of Directors who hail from arts organizations all over the state of California. ACSO was founded in 1969 at Asilomar by a small group of committed orchestra managers who believed in the power of personal networking.

More than forty years later, ACSO remains the hub of California’s vibrant classical music community by providing a variety of services to its 400+ members including networking, mentorship, resource sharing, advocacy, and professional development.

Founded in 1968, Pacific Chorale is internationally recognized for exceptional artistic expression, stimulating American-focused programming, and influential education programs. Pacific Chorale presents a significant performance season of its own at Segerstrom Center for the Arts and is sought regularly to perform with the nation’s leading symphonies.  

Under the inspired guidance of Artistic Director John Alexander, Pacific Chorale has infused an Old World art form with California’s hallmark innovation and cultural independence. Pacific Chorale has a membership of 140 professional and volunteer singers.