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

The San Diego Symphony’s CEO and President, Martha Gilmer, has been honored as Musical America’s 2026 Impresario of the Year. This prestigious recognition was announced on Tuesday and places Gilmer among a select group of four other distinguished honorees, including renowned pianist Emanuel Ax and celebrated composer Gabriela Lena Frank.

Gilmer has been at the helm of the San Diego Symphony since 2014 and is only the second individual to receive this accolade in the publication’s 127-year history. The first was Michael Kaiser, former president of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, who received the honor in 2007.

Transformative Leadership in San Diego’s Music Scene

According to Fred Cohn, the features editor of Musical America, “Martha Gilmer’s Impresario of the Year award recognizes her extraordinary efforts on behalf of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra. Her work has not only transformed the organization; it has had a significant impact on the community as a whole.” Gilmer expressed her gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing her collaboration with talented colleagues. “I hope to accept this award on behalf of all the people who have gotten our cultural institutions through some particularly tight times,” she stated.

During her tenure, Gilmer has played a crucial role in several pivotal developments for the San Diego Symphony. This includes the appointment of Rafael Payare as Music and Artistic Director in 2019, the launch of The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park—an $85 million outdoor concert venue—and the extensive renovation of the Jacobs Music Center, which reopened last fall following a $163 million investment.

Community Engagement and Future Aspirations

Gilmer, who previously served as the Vice President for Artistic Planning and Audience Development at the Chicago Symphony, acknowledged the significant support from the community and leadership that made these achievements possible. “What we have done would not be possible without the dreamers and the people who support the orchestra,” she said.

Cohn remarked on the unique impact Gilmer has had, stating, “Something has happened in San Diego that hasn’t happened at America’s long-established musical institutions. Martha has moved your orchestra and its operations to a whole new level.” This sentiment is echoed by Payare, who praised Gilmer’s visionary leadership and her dedication to enhancing the orchestra’s artistic profile.

Reflecting on the challenges faced during her leadership, including the recent pandemic, Gilmer highlighted the orchestra’s accomplishments and its commitment to community involvement. “We take our music to people who cannot get to our stages,” she noted, mentioning recent performances at local hospitals and detention facilities. “Knowing that we are making a positive impact on people is inspiring to me and is crucial to what this orchestra does.”

In addition to her latest honor, Gilmer has received multiple accolades, including being named the 2025 Director of the Year by the Corporate Directors Forum and a 2024 Cool Women honoree by the Girl Scouts of San Diego. Looking ahead, she aims to expand the San Diego Symphony’s national and international presence through more recordings and tours.

As the San Diego Symphony continues to evolve under Gilmer’s leadership, her commitment to community engagement and artistic excellence remains at the forefront of the orchestra’s mission.