“Michael Beattie, who has steered the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra (MSO) for almost 17 years, retires Sept. 1,” reads an unsigned article in Monday’s (4/5) Northside Sun (Jackson, MS). “As president/executive director of this cornerstone arts institution, Beattie’s steady guidance positioned MSO with an increased endowment, tighter community connections and innovative partnerships, say board members and community leaders alike. A nationwide search to fill his post is underway.… Originally from Nebraska, Beattie switched careers from church music to orchestra management before landing in Jackson with MSO…. In MSO, Jackson has a symphony orchestra that few communities this size could support, Beattie says, crediting Maestro Crafton Beck’s strong musical leadership and its professional musicians’ high level of performance. MSO’s 2021-22 season will be its 77th. Points of pride in Beattie’s tenure include balanced budgets, a collaborative and transparent relationship with musicians and enhanced community connections that show music’s power to bring people together and help cope…. MSO Board Chairman Nora Frances McRae trusts MSO’s next leader to continue Beattie’s continuous push to expand MSO’s audience…. ‘Michael walked into a symphony that was not nearly as healthy as the one that he’s leaving,’ says incoming MSO Board Chairman Jack Allin.”
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