In Wednesday’s (2/27) Telegraph (Macon, Georgia), Phillip Ramati writes, “When the Macon Symphony Orchestra hired Ward Stare to be its new conductor last year, it was with the knowledge that the rising star in the world of classical music someday would be moving on to bigger and better things. The symphony didn’t imagine it would be so soon. Stare, who was hired in March 2012, has informed the symphony’s board of directors that he intends to leave after the current season ends in April, said Sheryl Towers, the orchestra’s president and CEO. … Gene Dunwody Sr., vice president of the symphony board of directors, said Stare signed a three-year contract with the symphony. But that contract allowed either party the ability to opt out in the first year. He described Stare’s departure as amicable. … Stare wasn’t available for an interview Wednesday, but his representatives released a statement from him. ‘I have found our concerts this season incredibly exciting and gratifying,’ he said in the statement. ‘However, increased professional demands in my conducting schedule have required me to make some very difficult decisions. Consequently, I feel that I am no longer able to devote the time and energy necessary to make the Macon Symphony Orchestra an ongoing success.’ ”
Posted February 28, 2013
