Barry Kempton, pictured,is the new executive director of the St. Paul-based Schubert Club, it was announced Monday.

Kempton succeeds Kathleen Van Bergen, who has already begun her new job as president of the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples, Florida.

Prior to his most recent job, as chief executive of the City of London Sinfonia, Kempton was with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra for 11 years, as vice president for artistic planning and general manager.

"I am truly thrilled to be entrusted with this opportunity to lead The Schubert Club and to return to the Twin Cities, a community which values its thriving arts scene so highly," Kempton said in a statement.

Kempton is a graduate of the University of Bristol.

The Schubert Club was founded in 1882. It presents high-caliber musical talent in a program of recitals, mostly at the Ordway Center in St. Paul. Its next big recital (Oct. 4 at the Ordway) showcases the duo piano of Christina and Michelle Naughton.