New director of Stanford Live and Bing named

Chris Lorway has been named as the new executive director of both Stanford Live and Bing Concert Hall. Lorway is currently the director of programming and marketing of Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall, home to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and the Toronto International Film Festival, respectively. Lorway will assume his new position at Stanford in the late summer, prior to the fifth season of Stanford Live performances.

In his work in Toronto, Lorway curates an annual season of about 150 performances. Prior to his work in Massey and Roy Thomson Halls, he was the executive director of Soundstreams, a company that commissioned and showcased contemporary composers.

According to Stanford Live, Lorway is “incredibly excited” to work with Stanford faculty, students and community members. Lorway is also looking forward to having access to Stanford’s many other resources.

“I’m thrilled to be joining the team at Stanford Live and to have the opportunity to animate Bing Concert Hall, and to work in other spaces across the Stanford campus, in collaboration with the world’s foremost artists,” Lorway said.

Leslie Hume, co-chair of the Stanford Live Advisory Council, and Stephen M. Sano, chair of the Department of Music, led an international search to fill the position. The search committee considered experience as well as potential in candidates.

According to Hume, the committee also placed particular emphasis on innovation because Stanford is located in the social, cultural and geographic setting of Silicon Valley.

“We sought leadership with a long-term vision,” Hume told Stanford News. “A compelling depth and breadth of experience in performing arts presentation, an excitement about exploring an expansive diversity of music and a creative approach to engaging new audiences were key criteria.”

Contact Ada Statler-Throckmorton at adastat ‘at’ stanford.edu.