Vancouver Recital Society Appoints New Executive Director

Jean Hodgins, President of the Vancouver Recital Society (VRS) Board of Directors, has announced the appointment of Sean Bickerton as Executive Director of the Vancouver Recital Society, effective October 4, 2013.

"Sean has a long history of dedication to the VRS,” announced Mrs. Hodgins, "having worked as the organization’s first intern and having served on the Board of Directors as both Vice President and Chair of the Futures Committee. The Board is thrilled to have someone with Sean’s background and knowledge of the industry, and we are looking forward to working closely with him as he provides necessary vision and strategic direction to the management of the Society." 

Bickerton was a Vice President of Columbia Artists in New York where he produced North American tours for leading European orchestras and chamber ensembles and managed Grammy Award-winning artists, many of whom have appeared on the VRS series, including John Browning, Helene Grimaud, Maria Tipo, Nikolai Lugansky and Robert McDuffie 

“The VRS is one of the leading concert series in North America,” said Bickerton, “and I’m excited to have this opportunity to work with our founder and Artistic Director Leila Getz, the VRS staff, our Board of Directors and community of subscribers, donors and volunteers as we work to build an even brighter future together.”

Leila Getz, who will continue in her role as Artistic Director of the VRS, stated: “I’ve known Sean for almost thirty years. We’ve been through a lot together, and I’m delighted we’ll now be working side by side for the VRS.”

A co-founder of KultureShock.Net, Bickerton studied violin performance at the University of Victoria and played violin professionally in the Victoria Symphony. He later managed the Vancouver Youth Orchestra before going to work for Columbia Artists in New York in 1986. He ran twice for Vancouver City Council after moving back to Vancouver in 2007, and today lives with his husband, Tom Hudock, in the West End.