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Thomas W. Morris was appointed artistic director of the Ojai Music Festival starting with the 2004 Festival. Mr. Morris is recognized as one of the most innovative leaders in the orchestra industry and held the position of executive director of The Cleveland Orchestra from 1987 to 2004.

During his tenure, the artistic success of The Cleveland Orchestra/Christoph von Dohnányi partnership was recognized throughout the world and the inaugural season of Franz Welser-Möst's tenure as Music Director has been launched to great enthusiasm and acclaim. Over the past seventeen years, Mr. Morris's leadership has helped set many important milestones for the Orchestra, including ten tours to Europe, and four tours to East Asia; an unprecedented recording discography on the London/Decca, Telarc International, and Teldec labels; the Orchestra's 75th anniversary celebration, including an important private release compact disc set of rare archival recordings; the recent renovation, expansion, and restoration of Cleveland's signature concert venue - Severance Hall; the seamless transition of music directors in 2002; and the renovation, upgrading and transformation of the Blossom Music center into a state-of-the-art summer concert venue. Mr. Morris has helped establish the world-renowned Orchestra within its own community through free public concerts and an impressive and comprehensive education program.

Mr. Morris came to Cleveland from the Boston Symphony Orchestra where he served in a number of capacities from 1969 to 1985. He held the position of assistant treasurer in 1970 and manager in 1973. In 1978 he was named to the newly created position of general manager, assuming overall executive responsibility for the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Boston Pops, Boston Symphony Chamber Players, Symphony Hall, and Tanglewood.

In 1985, Mr. Morris became president of Thomas W. Morris & Company, an international musical consulting and production company that has worked with such institutions as Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, De Nederlandse Opera, and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic. Also an accomplished percussionist, Mr. Morris has performed frequently with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Boston Pops, and currently performs in the Blossom Festival Band.

Mr. Morris is a native of Rochester, New York. He studied at the Eastman School of Music and holds a B.A. degree from Princeton University and an MBA from the Wharton School of Finance and Commerce.