San Diego Symphony’s Martha Gilmer Named Musical America’s 2026 Impresario of the Year

In a significant recognition of leadership and innovation within the classical music community, Martha Gilmer, the President and CEO of the San Diego Symphony, has been honored as Musical America’s 2026 Impresario of the Year. This accolade, announced on Tuesday, highlights Gilmer’s transformative impact on the symphony and the broader community since she took the helm in 2014.

Gilmer is only the second individual in the magazine’s 127-year history to receive this prestigious award, the first being Michael Kaiser, former president of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, who was recognized in 2007. Fred Cohn, the features editor for Musical America, praised Gilmer’s extraordinary efforts, stating, “Her work has not only transformed the organization; it has had a significant impact on the community as a whole.”

Leadership and Vision in Action

In her role, Gilmer has spearheaded numerous initiatives that have expanded the symphony’s reach and capabilities. Under her leadership, the symphony selected Rafael Payare as its Music and Artistic Director in 2019, marking a pivotal moment for the organization. This partnership has fostered a new era for the symphony, culminating in significant developments such as the opening of The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, an $85 million outdoor venue alongside San Diego Bay, and the recent $163 million renovation of the Jacobs Music Center, which reopened last fall after extensive redesign and construction.

Gilmer expressed her gratitude for the recognition, noting, “I am humbled because I have fabulous colleagues that I have learned so much from in my many years in this role. I hope to accept this award on behalf of all the people who have gotten our cultural institutions through some particularly tight times.”

Her commitment to making the symphony a vital community resource is evident. Cohn emphasized, “Martha has moved your orchestra and its operations to a whole new level. Being a community resource is essential for a contemporary musical organization, and that is something Martha clearly understands.”

A Commitment to Community and Innovation

Gilmer’s vision extends beyond traditional performances; she aims to elevate the symphony’s national and international profile through increased recordings and international tours. “It’s imperative that people, the stakeholders, feel included and that their ideas are heard,” she said. “One of the things I’m so proud of is that we take our music to people who cannot get to our stages.” Recently, symphony musicians performed at several local medical facilities and a detention center, showcasing their commitment to outreach.

Payare echoed these sentiments, highlighting Gilmer’s visionary leadership. “From the very beginning of our partnership, she has worked tirelessly on behalf of the San Diego Symphony, constantly inspiring everyone within the organization through her remarkable leadership,” he stated. “Even through the extraordinary challenges we have faced, including the pandemic, what the San Diego Symphony has achieved under her leadership is remarkable.”

In addition to her recent honor from Musical America, Gilmer has been recognized with the 2025 Director of the Year award from the Corporate Directors Forum and the 2024 Cool Women honor from the Girl Scouts of San Diego. She also received the 2022 Moving San Diego Forward Award from the Regional Chamber of Commerce, further underscoring her impact.

Looking ahead, Gilmer remains focused on fostering growth and innovation within the San Diego Symphony, ensuring that it continues to thrive both artistically and as a cornerstone of the community. Her leadership exemplifies a forward-thinking approach in the evolving landscape of classical music.