The Minnesota Orchestra has announced that Michael Henson, president and chief executive since 2007, is to step down from both roles in August. A statement from the orchestra’s board said that Henson would remain to ‘lead the organisation through a transition period over the next five months’ and that the search for his successor would be launched in April.
The announcement comes two months after the orchestra musicians
agreed to a new contract, finally ending the 15-month lockout
that began on 1 October 2012. During this time, conductor Osmo
Vänskä
resigned from his post as the orchestra’s music director and
several musicians, including assistant concertmaster Stephanie
Arado, left to take up other roles. In the autumn of 2012, the
musicians issued a vote of no confidence in Henson.
However, during his seven-year tenure, Henson also led the
orchestra’s fundraising campaign, raising $110 million, established
a new endowment, and oversaw the renovation of Orchestra Hall
(pictured).
‘It has always been my aim to do what is right for the
organisation, however great the challenges, and I’m proud of our
accomplishments,’ said Henson in a statement. ‘The right thing now
is for me to work to ensure continuity during this transition to
the next phase in the life of the Minnesota Orchestra.’
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Photo: Greg Helgeson
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