Erie Philharmonic appoints Bobby Pape as next Executive Director
Bobby Pape
May 22, 2025– The Erie Philharmonic Board of Directors is excited to announce Bobby Pape has accepted the role of executive director.
Pape brings to the Erie Phil over 15 years of experience in the nonprofit performing arts sector. Since 2023, he has served as Executive Director of Blue Heron, a professional early music chamber ensemble based in Boston. Prior to that, he was a senior member of the leadership team at the Albany (NY) Symphony, where he oversaw development and marketing, and helped guide the organization through the challenges of the pandemic.
“I am honored to be joining Music Director Daniel Meyer and the musicians, board, staff and volunteers of the Erie Phil,” Pape said. “Erie is a vibrant city that embraces the transformative power of music, and I look forward to building on the Phil’s historic legacy of outstanding performances, impactful education programs, and meaningful community engagement.”
Pape has a regional connection to the area having grown up outside of Rochester, New York. He studied journalism and worked in the music department at the State University of New York at Buffalo and started his career in arts management at the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.
“Bobby stood out to us because of his thoughtful leadership, his broad experience in the performing arts sector, and his clear dedication to the Philharmonic’s role as a vibrant and accessible cultural asset,” said Board of Directors President Lisa Graff. “We look forward to the energy and vision he will bring to the Erie Phil and to our community.”
Pape’s hiring concludes a year-long national search led by the Erie Phil Board of Directors, in consultation with Catherine French Group, a leader in arts leadership recruitment. Pape replaces Steve Weiser, who is now a vice president at the Erie Community Foundation. The board thanks Thomas Brooks, director of the Erie Philharmonic Chorus, for serving as interim executive director during the candidate search.
Pape will begin his new role on June 2. A press conference to introduce Pape to the Erie community will be announced at a later date.
“I am so pleased to welcome Bobby Pape to the Philharmonic. He's arriving at an important juncture in the orchestra's history, and from my initial discussions with Bobby, I am filled with optimism,” said Daniel Meyer, Erie Philharmonic music director. “He brings a wealth of industry knowledge, creativity, and a deep passion for connecting great music-making with the community. I know he will be a superb asset to us and to our continued growth in Erie. I have every reason to believe Bobby will help lead us to even more success at the Warner, throughout northwestern Pennsylvania, and beyond.”
The Erie Philharmonic is one of the oldest professional orchestras in the nation, tracing its story back to 1913 and reaching professional status by the 1940s. A nonprofit, the mission of the Erie Philharmonic is to enrich, entertain, and educate people of all ages through high-quality live orchestra concerts and programs. This is achieved by strengthening the community and region by providing musical experiences that are both engaging and educational, impacting tens of thousands of people annually.