Paul A. Buttenwieser of Belmont, Massachusetts, long a patron and prime mover of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, was elected to a term, beginning September 1, 2014, as the BSO President.
Dr. Buttenwieser will serve alongside the Chair and the other officers as the Orchestra enters an important period that will see the introduction of Andris Nelsons as the BSO's new music director and the development of several strategic projects that will strengthen the BSO's position as a leading orchestra in the world.
Dr. Buttenwieser recently completed a decade as Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston. At the organization's annual gala, May 16, 2014, pianist Paul performed a Beethoven sonata with world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma!
During his tenure, he led the ICA in two capital campaigns: to build its new waterfront building, which opened in December 2006, and to establish an endowment and permanent collection. Paul is also a Trustee and former Chair of the American Repertory Theater, a Trustee of Partners in Health, an honorary Trustee of the Museum of Fine Arts, a member of the President's Advisory Council at Berklee College of Music, a member of the Director's Advisory Council of the Harvard University Art Museums, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
In 1988, Paul and his wife, Katie, founded the Family-to-Family Project, an agency working with homeless families in the Boston area. Paul was formerly a member of the Board of Overseers of Harvard University. At Harvard's 2010 commencement, President Drew Faust awarded Paul the Harvard Medal for services to the University.
