Director of San Antonio Symphony Quits

[TexasStooge]

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (AP) - Steven Brosvik is stepping down as executive director of the financially troubled San Antonio Symphony after two years at the helm.

Brosvik, 38, described his resignation, which takes effect Dec. 6, as a "fresh, clean start." He said the symphony's board wasn't forcing his hand. "This is my idea," Brosvik told the San Antonio Express-News for a Saturday story.

When Brosvik took the job in March 2001, he pledged to enhance the symphony's image and boost fund-raising. However, during his first year, public contributions dropped from $4.1 million to $2.9 million from the previous fiscal year.

Ticket sales and revenue fell, expenses rose, and the orchestra cut its season short and declared bankruptcy this year.

Brosvik said the key to recovery will be stirring community interest.

"We need to get people excited about the symphony," he said. "Even people who don't think they like classical music."

The orchestra's musicians, who took pay cuts to keep the symphony afloat, said they wished Brosvik well, but also suggested a stronger leader would have attracted more donors.

"With good management and a strong board, good things can happen," said Craig Sorgi, the former chairman of the San Antonio Players Association.

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On the Net:

http://www.sasymphony.org