Daily Inspiration: Meet Jacob Bassitt

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacob Bassitt.

Hi Jacob, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
The Lima Symphony Orchestra began as a grassroots effort in January 1953, when a small group of dedicated community leaders—John LaRotonda, Ben Schultz, Dom Trovarelli, and Fred Mills—came together with a shared vision of bringing live orchestral music to Lima and the surrounding region. They appointed Lawrence Burkhalter as the Symphony’s first conductor, and just over a year later, on May 23, 1954, the Orchestra gave its debut performance at Central High School to an enthusiastic reception.

In the years that followed, the Symphony steadily established itself as a vital part of the community’s cultural life. Under the direction of William Byrd of Cincinnati, who led the Orchestra for the next decade, the Lima Symphony developed a regular subscription series, presented annual opera or operetta productions, and launched concerts specifically for school children—early signs of its enduring commitment to both artistic excellence and education.

A major period of growth began in 1967 with the appointment of Joseph Firszt as Music Director and Conductor. Over his remarkable 29-year tenure, the Orchestra evolved from a 50-member volunteer ensemble into a fully professional organization of 75 paid musicians. During this time, the Symphony expanded to a full season of six subscription concerts along with numerous community performances. Firszt also helped deepen the organization’s educational impact through school programs, master classes, and the joint sponsorship of the Lima Area Youth Orchestra.

Following Firszt’s retirement in 1996, Crafton Beck assumed the role of Music Director and led the Orchestra for 24 seasons. His tenure was marked by significant expansion in both programming and geographic reach across West Central Ohio. In addition to a robust subscription series, Beck introduced and grew popular offerings such as family concerts, Mozart by Candlelight performances, and the annual New Year’s Eve Pops concert—traditions that continue to resonate with audiences today.

Most recently, Andrew Crust has served as the Symphony’s fifth Music Director, bringing a dynamic and versatile artistic vision shaped by his international conducting career. Under his leadership, the Lima Symphony has embraced a broad and inclusive repertoire, pairing cornerstone works by composers like Beethoven, Schubert, and Brahms with music by Florence Price, William Grant Still, and Lili Boulanger, alongside film scores and popular favorites such as The Beatles. As his tenure concludes this season, the Orchestra is entering a pivotal and exciting new chapter: a multi-year search for its next Music Director that will help shape its artistic future.

Education and community engagement remain central to the Lima Symphony’s mission. The Lima Area Youth Orchestra, affiliated with both the Symphony and the Lima Noon Optimists, provides young musicians from across the region with the opportunity to perform in a full symphonic setting. With a season aligned to the academic year and performances that include holiday and spring concerts as well as programs for elementary students, the Youth Orchestra continues to nurture the next generation of artists under the direction of Joseph Macbean, following a legacy of distinguished past conductors.

From its humble beginnings as a community initiative to its current role as a leading cultural institution in the region, the Lima Symphony Orchestra has remained dedicated to enriching lives through music. As it looks ahead to its next era of artistic leadership, the organization continues to honor its legacy while embracing new possibilities for growth, discovery, and connection.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been an incredibly rewarding journey for the Lima Symphony Orchestra, marked by steady growth, artistic achievement, and a deep commitment to our community. Like any long-standing organization, the path hasn’t always been without challenges—but those challenges have helped shape who we are today.

One of the most consistent hurdles has been building and sustaining broad community engagement in the arts. In a smaller city like Lima, it can be more difficult to cultivate the same level of visibility and participation that you might find in larger cultural hubs like Chicago, Columbus, or New York City, where the arts are more deeply embedded in daily life and there are larger, more diverse audiences.

That said, this challenge has also been an opportunity. The Symphony has worked hard over the decades to meet the community where it is—through education programs, youth ensembles, accessible performances, and diverse programming that welcomes both longtime patrons and first-time attendees. Building appreciation for the arts is a long-term effort, especially in a smaller market, but it’s one that continues to grow with each new generation.

Ultimately, while engaging the broader community has required persistence and creativity, it has also made the journey more meaningful. Every new audience member, every student inspired, and every sold-out performance reflects the progress being made—and reinforces the Symphony’s role as a vital cultural resource for the region.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m Jacob Bassitt, the Marketing Director for the Lima Symphony Orchestra. I joined the organization at just 21 years old and have now been with the Symphony for nearly two years. My background is a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Communications, and while marketing wasn’t my original plan, it quickly became the path I knew I was meant to pursue.

My introduction to the field happened almost immediately. During my first weekend at Ohio Northern University, I was recruited by the communications and marketing office to work as a social media content creator. That experience completely changed my perspective. I quickly realized how expansive marketing is—there are so many different avenues to explore—and I found myself especially drawn to social media. It’s fast-paced, creative, and incredibly relevant to how people engage today.

When the social media manager I worked under moved on, I stepped into her role while still a student. That experience was a turning point. I fell in love with the entire process: content planning, strategy, collaboration, and seeing ideas come to life. It was also when I realized I was genuinely good at this work. Even though my degree wasn’t specifically in marketing, I shaped my education around it and gained hands-on experience that proved just as valuable.

What I specialize in now is creating engaging, results-driven marketing—particularly through digital and social platforms. I’m known for being adaptable, creative, and willing to take initiative, often stepping into opportunities before I feel fully ready. That mindset has been a huge part of my growth.

The most rewarding part of my work is seeing tangible results. Marketing is one of those fields where outcomes are clear—you know when something works. There’s nothing quite like launching a campaign and watching it exceed expectations. For example, sending a message to thousands of patrons and seeing ticket sales double what you anticipated—that feeling is unmatched. It’s a mix of strategy, creativity, and a bit of risk, and when it pays off, it’s incredibly fulfilling.

What sets me apart is how I’ve approached the field from the start. I didn’t follow a traditional path into marketing—I discovered it through experience, curiosity, and a willingness to jump in early. I’ve grown alongside the work, learning in real time as the industry evolves. Marketing is constantly changing, especially in the digital space, and I take pride in staying current, experimenting with new tools, and adapting quickly.

More than anything, I’m proud of how far I’ve come in a short amount of time—going from a student exploring options to leading marketing efforts for a professional arts organization. It’s been a journey driven by passion, creativity, and a genuine love for connecting people with meaningful experiences.

We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Going into college, I was actually on track to study biology and pre-medicine. But before committing, I took a step back and had a conversation with my aunt, who spent years working in the film industry. That conversation helped me realize I wanted something more creative and people-focused. With a passion for theatre and an interest in communications, I chose to double major—and that decision ultimately led me to marketing.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://limasymphony.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/limasymphonyorchestra/ and https://www.instagram.com/jacobbassitt/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LimaSymphonyOrchestra/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@limasymphonyorchestra

Image Credits
JACOB BASSITT IS CREDITED FOR ALL PHOTOS.