By Jennifer Eisenbart
Editor
From a young age, Burlington native Martha Gilmer loved music.
“I lived in Burlington all of my young life,” said Gilmer, whose maiden name is Schmaling. “I was very active in what was the music scene.
Musicals, music groups, youth groups, high school band and playing for the choir … Gilmer did it all.
Gilmer majored in music at Northwestern University, specializing in piano. She switched to arts administration for the final two years.
“It meant I was looking to … manage an orchestra, for example,” said Gilmer.
Gilmer will start as the Chief Executive Officer of the San Diego Symphony on Sept. 24, 35 years after taking a job in Chicago and never looking back.
“That doesn’t leave much time for all I have to do here,” Gilmer said in a telephone interview Tuesday evening.
She started in 1979 at Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra as marketing coordinator, then became an assistant at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
She is in her 35th year in Chicago, now vice president of artistic planning. She worked under three different music directors, and with many different guest conductors and soloists. There, she also oversaw the orchestra’s artistic planning, education programs and training orchestra.
She admitted Tuesday that moving to San Diego will be a change, but not an unwelcome one.
“The orchestra there is a very fine orchestra,” Gilmer said. “I was impressed with them when I heard a rehearsal, and I was also very impressed with the Board of Directors.
“It seemed like a new challenge,” added Gilmer, who said the new job will give her a chance to shape all aspects of the orchestra.
She and her husband will maintain their home in Chicago for the next year, but she is excited about the change to San Diego – calling the people there warm and welcoming.
“I’ve never lived more than 90 miles from this very spot,” Gilmer said of Chicago. “(But in San Diego), everyone is incredibly welcoming and friendly.
“I think it’s a great destination.”
Of course, there are some perks, namely the California weather. However, Gilmer admitted she enjoys what the Midwest has to offer in that department.
“Everyone thinks I’m not going to miss the weather,” said Gilmer. “But it will be a big adjustment. I’m used to four seasons.”
She and her family are ready for the next step, though. Gilmer and her husband have three grown sons, and her husband is a retired high school band director.
“It’s a good time in our lives to take kind of a great adventure,” Gilmer said.
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