The Manhattan School of Music (MSM) has announced that its president, James Gandre, will retire from his position in June 2028.
Gandre first started working at the MSM in a variety of administrative and leadership roles from 1985 to 2000, before returning in 2013 to serve as president. Over a decade into the role, he is the second-longest-serving president in MSM’s history, the first being the school’s founder, Janet Daniels Schenck.
Since his return to MSM in 2013, Gandre has helped lead numerous projects, including a 25% expansion of student practice facilities, the launch of MSM’s undergraduate Musical Theatre program, and the more than $15 million renovation and reopening of MSM’s main Neidorff-Karpati Hall.
Additionally, he has overseen a more than 125% increase in MSM’s endowment and continued growth in its scholarship support.
A Wisconsin native, Gandre majored in music performance (voice) at Lawrence University. He earned his master’s degree in performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music in 1983 and his Ed.D. in higher education administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2001.
MSM is currently in the process of searching for Gandre’s successor.
“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I want to express our profound gratitude to Jim for his extraordinary service to the School,” says MSM Board Chair Kishore Ballal. “His tenure has been marked by a deep and steadfast commitment to our mission, our students, our faculty and staff, our alumni, and to the long-term strength and sustainability of MSM. The Board has considered it a privilege to work with him throughout his presidency.
“These accomplishments — and many others — reflect something fundamental about Jim’s leadership: a deep belief in and love of this institution, and a determination to leave it stronger than he found it,” Ballal adds. “His partnership, candor, persistence, and unwavering commitment have made an indelible mark on MSM.”
“It has been the honor of my professional life to serve MSM as president,” Gandre shares. “I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have served this extraordinary institution, first as a member of its administration and faculty and, since 2013, as its president. I have had the great privilege — and profound responsibility — of leading the School through a period of significant change and growth, and I am especially grateful to have done so alongside such talented, dedicated, and deeply caring trustees, faculty, and staff.
“By announcing my retirement nearly two years in advance, I hope to give the Board and our community the gift of time: time for a thorough and deliberate search, and time to prepare thoughtfully for the next chapter of MSM’s history. Together, we have built much, and together, we have much more to do. I look forward to the important work ahead.”
“Choosing the next president of Manhattan School of Music is among the most consequential responsibilities entrusted to the Board,” Ballal explains. “We will approach that responsibility with the care, thoughtfulness, and commitment it deserves. At the same time, we are grateful that we have the opportunity to work with Jim and the entire MSM Community for nearly two more years as we build on the strong foundation of this remarkable institution.”