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ASO Loses Executive Director

September 9, 2009

Joe R. Long, President of the Austin Symphony Orchestra Society, Inc., on behalf of its executive committee announced that Galen Wixson has resigned as executive director of the Austin Symphony Orchestra Society, Inc. effective immediately.

Mr. Wixson indicated he was leaving to pursue other arts management opportunities based on his stellar educational and management background experience. Wixson has a Master’s degree in arts management and came to Austin from managing several other symphony and related organizations.

Longtime legal counsel of the ASO, William F. Kemp, assisted in facilitating the resolution involved citing creative differences between the Austin Symphony Orchestra Society and Mr. Wixson as being what lead to his resignation as executive director of the Austin Symphony.

Mr. Long stated that the Austin Symphony has a long and storied history being one of the few such organizations that has always operated in the black, has enjoyed excellent support from the community, and has always worked well with the other arts organizations in Austin. It continues to have high staff morale and unwavering support of its executive committee and board of directors.

Mr. Long said, “The programs and artists for the current season have all been contracted and it is anticipated that with our conductor and musicians we will have a highly successful and entertaining season.”

A search will begin immediately for a new executive director. In the interim, Anthony Corroa, Operations Manager, has been named interim executive director.

The board of directors and the Austin orchestra musicians, together with their conductor, Peter Bay, look forward to their opening concert on September 18, 2009.