The Board of Melbourne Recital Centre has announced New Zealand leader in arts management Euan Murdoch is the CEO-designate of Melbourne Recital Centre, occupying the role vacated by the retirement of Mary Vallentine AO. Mr Murdoch will commence at the Centre in September 2016.
With a diverse background in music education, performance and leadership of New Zealand’s premier musical institutions, Euan Murdoch is currently Director of Te Kōkī New Zealand School of Music based at Victoria University of Wellington. Among his achievements, Mr Murdoch has been instrumental in developing a collaborative vision for Wellington’s proposed civic music hub and was Executive Producer of No Man’s Land, Victoria University’s ambitious multimedia project recorded on the battlefields of WWI with over 150 musicians from 20 countries.
As Chief Executive of Chamber Music New Zealand (CMNZ) for nine years, Mr Murdoch contributed significantly to New Zealand’s musical culture. He led a revitalized CMNZ to be recognised by Creative New Zealand as a national arts leader funded through their Arts Leadership Investment program, securing an ongoing role leading the chamber music sector in New Zealand. During his tenure CMNZ increased financial reserves, endowment funds, revenue, audience numbers, sponsorship and philanthropic support.
Euan Murdoch was awarded a Winston Churchill Memorial Fellowship in 2013 to undertake international research into deepening engagement with the arts for artists and audiences. He is also sought-after as a speaker and thought-leader in the areas of education, arts policy and music presentation. As a cellist and educator, he has held senior positions in the String Department and as Head of Music at Victoria University of Wellington.
Melbourne Recital Centre’s Chair, Kathryn Fagg said: “The Board and I are delighted that Euan Murdoch will be the Centre’s next CEO. His passion for all kinds of music, his commitment to education and community engagement and his strong leadership and management skills make him the perfect fit for Australia’s vibrant home for music. The Board was also pleased to be able to recruit from the region, and we believe Euan’s perspective from our near neighbour combined with his strong links to the Australian and International music scenes are unique assets. I look forward to working with Euan to achieve the company’s vision: placing the Centre at the heart of an inspired global community of musicians and audiences.”
Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley said: “With an impressive career and a passion for music and education, Euan is set to bring an exciting new energy to Melbourne Recital Centre as it continues to build its reputation as one of the best music venues in the world. I look forward to welcoming him to Victoria and to his contribution to our creative state.”
Euan Murdoch said, “It is a privilege to be offered this opportunity to lead the Centre. Since opening its doors in 2009, I have been a fan of its wonderful acoustics, ambience and unique position in Melbourne’s vibrant arts and cultural precinct. Victoria is poised to place creativity at the heart of its globally connected future. I am inspired by this vision outlined in Creative State and the collaborative role the Centre will play in it.”
Euan Murdoch will relocate to Melbourne with his wife Shelley to take up the role at the beginning of September. Mary Vallentine AO, the incumbent CEO, departs at the end of June.
Classic Melbourne thanks the Melbourne Recital Centre for permission to publish this information. We welcome Mr Murdoch and look forward to an interview as the earliest possible opportunity.
