Celebrating 17 seasons of visionary musical excellence, innovation, and community impact in Northeast Indiana
Arts United of Greater Fort Wayne today announced that Maestro Andrew Constantine, who concluded an extraordinary 17-season tenure as Music Director of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic in June 2026, will receive the inaugural award for Exceptional Artistic Leadership.
The award recognizes Maestro Constantine’s transformative contributions to the regional cultural landscape, during which he helped elevate the Fort Wayne Philharmonic into a nationally recognized ensemble and broadened community engagement across Northeast Indiana.
Appointed in 2009 following an international search including more than 250 applicants, Constantine led the orchestra through its 2025–2026 season before stepping down in June 2026. His 17 seasons were marked by rigorous musical standards, innovative programming, and a commitment to expand classical music access throughout the region.
Career Highlights and Key Achievements:
- Artistic Transformation: Spearheaded landmark programming series including Made in America, Composer: REVEALED, America 250, and the historic Violins of Hope collaboration.
- National & Global Reach: Established the annual International Conductors’ Workshop in 2015 and led the Philharmonic’s first commercial recording in 2018.
- Community Connection: Expanded regional educational initiatives and launched the podcast A Stick with a Point to demystify classical music for broader audiences.
“Andrew’s visionary leadership redefined what an orchestral institution can mean to its city,” said Dave Haist, Board Chair of Arts United. “His dedication to artistic excellence and passionate advocacy set a benchmark for regional cultural leadership. It is a privilege for Arts United to recognize Maestro Constantine and to have the Fort Wayne Philharmonic as one of its major long-term arts partners.”
“The energy, precision, and passion Andrew brought to our community for nearly two decades reminds us all of the power of live orchestral music to bring people together.” said Dan Ross, President & CEO of Arts United. “Experiencing Andrew leading the Philharmonic during the grand reopening dedication of the Arts United Center was deeply meaningful.”
“It is a tremendous honor to be recognized by Arts United,” said Maestro Constantine. “My time leading the Fort Wayne Philharmonic and serving the audiences of Northeast Indiana remains a deeply cherished chapter of my career, and I am grateful for this community’s enduring commitment to the arts. Together with my fabulous friends and colleagues in the orchestra, I truly believe that we brought the orchestra to a spectacular level and created many exciting musical memories for the people of Fort Wayne and beyond.”