Orchestra vice president leaving

Kathleen van Bergen, the Philadelphia Orchestra's vice president for artistic planning since 2004, has resigned.

She will work at the orchestra for another month before taking over in March as executive director of the Schubert Club in St. Paul, Minn.

Van Bergen, 31, whose husband is a substitute trumpeter in the orchestra, said the decision to leave was "very difficult," but that she was excited to have the chance to lead an organization.

Here as well as at other orchestras, the artistic administrator is the chief resident musical authority, working with the music director on planning repertoire, hiring guest soloists and engaging conductors. The job varies according to the skills and experience of the holder, but duties typically include guiding recording projects, planning tours and festivals, and helping to identify talent and choose music directors.

Van Bergen also twice served on management's team in negotiating new labor contracts with musicians.

Administrative departures at the orchestra and the Kimmel Center have become chances to discuss further consolidation of the two groups. Orchestra president James Undercofler said this would not be such an opportunity. A replacement for van Bergen will be sought, but it's not clear how long the task will take.

"These are the plum jobs in orchestra world, so there are people who will surely be interested in it," Undercofler said. On the other hand, "it is essential that the relationship be right with me and the musicians and the staff, so it could take some time."

For now, van Bergen's assistant, Bret Dorhout, will fill the job on an interim basis.

Van Bergen said her husband would continue his freelance career in Philadelphia, and did not know when he would be joining her.

"Chris has professional commitments in Philadelphia to consider as we work on this transition," she said.