Carnegie Hall today announced that Mercedes T. Bass has been elected as Acting Chairman of Carnegie Hall’s Board of Trustees; Mrs. Bass has been a dedicated Carnegie Hall trustee for 26 years, having joined the board in 1989 and served as a Vice Chair since 2006

At the Annual Meeting, the trustees also elected its slate of officers to include: Kenneth J. Bialkin, Acting Secretary; Edward C. Forst, Treasurer; as well as Vice Chairs Clarissa Alcock Bronfman, Klaus Jacobs, Peter W. May, and Burton P. Resnick. Mr. May will continue to serve in his role as Chair of Carnegie Hall’s Board Development and Nominating Committee.

In addition, the Board approved the creation of a new Governance Committee, charged with overseeing policies and practices related to board stewardship, providing guidance and recommendations to the board at large. The new committee will be chaired by longtime trustee Robert I. Lipp, who has served on the board since 2000. Mr. Lipp will be be joined by committee members: Carnegie Hall Chairman Emeritus Richard A. Debs; trustee Don M. Randel, board chair of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and former President of The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation; and Darren Walker, President of the Ford Foundation who was newly-elected as a Carnegie Hall trustee at the October 8 meeting.

Sanford I. Weill said, “I offer my heartfelt congratulations to these newly-elected board leaders, all of whom have worked so hard on behalf of Carnegie Hall. In particular, I want to thank Mercedes as she steps into her new role. I have worked alongside her on this board for more than twenty years and can personally attest to her leadership skills and devotion to the Hall and its mission. I greatly look forward to working with her as we all continue to chart the Hall’s future together. In addition, I’d especially like to thank Peter May for his leadership and his guidance of our Vice Chairs and Nominating committees, helping us get to the place we are today in holding these elections. It wouldn’t have happened as smoothly if not for him.”

Mercedes T. Bass said, “As someone who has long loved Carnegie Hall—its unparalleled commitment to artistic excellence and its service to education and community—I feel privileged to assume this new post. I look forward to my continued work with my fellow trustees, the staff, and the whole Carnegie Hall family as we continue to support and strengthen this incredible institution.”

Clive Gillinson, Carnegie Hall’s Executive and Artistic Director, said, “I very much look forward to working with Mercedes in her new role as well as with all of our newly-elected board leadership and all our trustees. In this 125th anniversary season, it will be a time to celebrate the Hall’s extraordinary history, building upon this unique foundation to create an even more exciting future.”

About Carnegie Hall
Since 1891, Carnegie Hall has set the international standard for excellence in performance as the aspirational destination for the world’s finest musicians. Now celebrating its 125th anniversary season, the Hall today presents a wide range of performances each season on its three stages—the renowned Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage, intimate Weill Recital Hall, and innovative Zankel Hall—including concert series curated by acclaimed artists and composers; citywide festivals featuring collaborations with leading New York City cultural institutions; orchestral performances, chamber music, new music concerts, and recitals; and the best in jazz, world, and popular music. Complementing these performance activities, Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute creates extensive music education and community programs that annually serve close to 500,000 people in the New York City area, nationally, and internationally, playing a central role in Carnegie Hall’s commitment to making great music accessible to as many people as possible. For more information, visit carnegiehall.org.