“Michael Jonnes, executive director of the Maryland Symphony Orchestra, announced his retirement Monday, saying it is time to hand over the reins to the next generation,” writes Dave McMillion in Monday’s (12/19) Herald-Mail (Hagerstown, Maryland).“Besides Hagerstown, Jonnes has worked for 34 years managing orchestras in Brooklyn, Washington, D.C., Jackson, Tenn., and Springfield, Mass. He became executive director of the MSO in 2013, succeeding Tamara Nuzzaci Park. Jonnes, 66, said he plans to stay on the job until the orchestra’s annual Salute to Independence in July to help with the transition process…. The executive director oversees daily operations of the Hagerstown-based orchestra and a staff of about five to six people. The MSO, which performs at The Maryland Theatre downtown, has an annual budget of about $1.45 million and an endowment fund of about $2.5 million. Jonnes works with Music Director Elizabeth Schulze on programming, and negotiates contracts for use of the theater and with personnel, including soloists. He said that working with Schulze has been a ‘special treat’ because she has taken the orchestra to new heights.… A search committee … will be formed to search for a successor.… The process will take about six months.”
Posted December 20, 2016
