In Wednesday’s (11/27) Post and Courier (Charleston, South Carolina), Adam Parker reports, “Michael Smith, a trumpet player with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, has been named the organization’s new executive director, according to Cindy Hartley, first vice president of the board. Smith will give up his position as first trumpet to assume his new management responsibilities, Hartley said. He steps into the role seven months after the previous director, Danny Beckley, left the symphony, citing disagreements with the board over direction. … [Smith] was instrumental in getting all parties to the negotiating table in 2010, when a contract dispute threatened the organization, and recently he played a leading role as musicians voted to forego union representation in negotiations with the symphony. From 2010 to 2012, Smith filled in as operations manager, Hartley said. And he has worked with Concertmaster and Acting Artistic Director Yuriy Bekker on programming and other musical matters, so he is well-suited for the task of leading the symphony into ‘a whole new era,’ she said. … ‘My dream was to be a trumpet player in an orchestra,’ [Smith] said. But much has changed in the music business, so putting his other talents to use makes sense. ‘I think where I need to be right now is serving the greater music community.’ ”
Posted November 27, 2013
