In Wednesday’s (6/2) Bloomington Pentagraph (Illinois), Dan Craft reports, “After more than a decade of making music together, Karen Lynne Deal and the Illinois Symphony Orchestra are parting company. … Deal’s contract ends June 30, 2011, but her last public performance will likely be the season’s final Masterworks concerts May 6 in Bloomington and May 7 in Springfield, said Trevor Orthmann, the ISO’s executive director. Deal is out of the country on vacation and was unavailable for comment. [Board President Carole] Ringer said the orchestra ‘is currently undergoing a strategic planning process to define its future direction,’ including ‘modifications to strengthen the governing structure of the organization’ and ‘a new music director to lead the artistic and educational programs, and to develop new audiences.’ … Ringer said the decision not to renew the contract resulted from input ‘from a broad variety of constituents, including musicians, audiences and supporters.’ … The ISO board, Ringer said, recognizes ‘the many contributions’ Deal has made, including special school programs, the ‘Sneakers and Jeans’ concert series, various community outreach efforts and ‘numerous’ Illinois Council of Orchestra citations.”
Posted June 3, 2010
