Creating a Home for Global Talent in Northeast Indiana
Words by Avery Martin; Photos by Lydia Norton
For a single opening with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, nearly 90 tuba players came through Fort Wayne. Flying in from across the country, checking into hotels, and moving through rounds of auditions that most audiences never see.
“In a typical job, it’s highly unlikely that you’d have 90 applicants coming into a city, visiting, staying overnight, eating dinner, and auditioning for a role,” says Brittany Hall, President and CEO of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic.
This isn’t just hiring. It’s a steady flow of highly trained talent moving through Fort Wayne. That level of interest is part of how the Philharmonic functions. Candidates move through interviews and auditions, sometimes returning multiple times and spending days in the city as part of the selection process.
“This year, we are starting a music director search for our next conductor, who will hopefully join us in 2028,” Hall says. “We had over 200 applications from all around the world for this highly sought-after position.”
The Philharmonic focuses on turning that interest into local residency by employing musicians who build their lives and careers within the region.
“I employ full-time musicians here in the city. They live, work, and play exactly where we are helping to serve the community,” says Hall.
The orchestra doesn't wait for audiences to come to them, either. They move throughout the city to break down barriers, placing music in the spots where the community actually spends its time.
“We have a 30-week season, which puts the musicians on the main stage about 22 to 25 times a year. Other than the main stage performances, they are out with small ensembles every single day, whether it’s at a school or a library,” Hall says.
Beyond these performances, the Philharmonic acts as a stabilizer for the local creative scene, collaborating regularly with groups like the Fort Wayne Ballet, Fort Wayne Dance Collective, and local theater artists.
“I’m a big believer that all ships rise together,” Hall says. “The more that we can do to collaborate, the stronger all the arts organizations will be.”
That collaborative spirit is getting a permanent home on April 24, when the organization unveils its new headquarters in the historic former Fort Wayne Women's Club and Chamber of Commerce building. The move into a downtown facility marks a new chapter of growth for the Philharmonic. While the building serves as a central hub, the orchestra remains committed to traveling around the region.
“It’s really part of our mission to make sure that we’re serving all of Northeast Indiana,” Hall says. “We like to move into venues that are the right size and fit for the programming we do, bringing the orchestra closer to all of our community members.”
By prioritizing these connections, the Philharmonic ensures that world-class talent doesn't just pass through Indiana. Between the initial influx of global applicants and the musicians now living in the local neighborhoods and participating in the community every day, Fort Wayne is building a place where musicians can actually stay.
