Whitlock comes to the Baltimore Symphony at a time of transition. Following a period of low attendance and financial difficulties that led to the orchestra's spending nearly one-third of its endowment to pay down accumulated debt, the ensemble got a new board chairman (Michael Bronfein) and
a new President and CEO (Paul Meecham) last year. Fast-rising conductor Marin Alsop begins her tenure as music director in Baltimore next fall.
At the Detroit Symphony, Whitlock served as director of pops and special programming, overseeing all non-classical performances and presentations. She previously held positions as general manager of the Phoenix Symphony and orchestra manager of the Tulsa Philharmonic.