In Wednesday’s (11/23) Jackson Sun (Tennessee), Steve Coffman writes, “The Jackson Symphony’s 2012-13 season will be the last for Dr. Jordan Tang, music director and conductor of the symphony for 26 years. Dr. Tyler Swindle, president of the symphony’s board, described Tang’s departure as a ‘mutually agreeable situation’ but said it was a decision made by the board. … The board has discussed a succession plan since a long-term planning meeting in January 2009, he said. Lee Warren, executive director of the symphony, said it is not uncommon for an orchestra to seek a ‘fresh artistic voice’ and to examine the direction it needs to head, particularly after a tenure as lengthy as Tang’s. … Tang did not respond to a telephone message seeking comment for this story. … Tang became conductor and music director of the symphony in 1986. The symphony said in a news release that the length of Tang’s tenure is ‘an unusual achievement.’ According to the League of American Symphony Orchestras, the average stay for a musical director is five to seven years, the news release said. The 2012-13 season will serve as a tribute to Tang.”
Posted November 23, 2011
