Toledo Symphony's president yields baton to executive V.P.
Article published April 24, 2010
Toledo Symphony's president yields baton to executive V.P.
By SALLY VALLONGO
SPECIAL TO THE BLADE
Friday night's Toledo Symphony rehearsal for tonight's Pops Concert started a little late on the Stranahan Theater stage.
Before guest conductor Michael Krajewski could slice a single downbeat, another kind of baton - a symbolic one - was passed at the top echelon of the 65-year-old organization.
Longtime member Robert Bell, president and chief operating officer of the Toledo Symphony Orchestra since 1997, yielded both titles to Kathy Carroll, a 22-year TSO development officer and, since 2004, executive vice president. The change becomes official July 1.
Announcing the news to Toledo Symphony musicians, TSO board of trustees chairman Michael Thaman called it a win-win accomplishment for the orchestra.
"We will keep Kathy's great leadership and development skills and Bob will become president emeritus," said Mr. Thaman, the chief executive officer of Ow-ens Corning.
Mr. Bell, 71, joined the Toledo Symphony Orchestra in 1956 as a 17-year-old percussionist at Woodward High School. He is not leaving One Symphony Space. Besides gaining emeritus status, he will become chief artistic officer and work with principal conductor Stefan Sanderling and artistic administrator Merwin Siu to plan future seasons. Speaking from Charlotte, where he is winding up a guest conducting stint, Mr. Sanderling praised the transition.
"Each brings some incredibly important balance to the whole. Bob stays on as the artistic force. He's like a lighthouse. The organization needs someone who deeply understands the orchestra, the music, and the art. Kathy has incredible skills in fund-raising and organizing."
The Toledo Symphony is northwest Ohio's premier performing arts organization, serving annual audiences of nearly 300,000 in 400 musical presentations. With an annual operating budget of $6 million and an endowment of $16 million, a year-round performance schedule, and a growing education component, the orchestra and the association have come a long way during Mr. Bell's tenure.
But the TSO board of trustees also knew that plans had to be made for inevitable changes. Plans have been discussed for more than three years, Mr. Thaman said.
"Change is something we do quite often in the corporate world," Mr. Thaman continued, "and the greatest accomplishment is when change happens from within."
Praising Mr. Bell for his artistic vision and dedication over half a century, Mr. Thaman added, "I'm extremely proud of Bob for bringing along such a worthy successor." And he praised Ms. Carroll for staying the course, especially during the recent financial crisis.
"I'm honored to serve," Ms. Carroll told the musicians and staff. She has more than 40 years of experience in development for public and private education, public broadcasting, museums, and health care. Still, she noted, "I've never had a role where I learned every day something I didn't know before."
Like Mr. Bell, Ms. Carroll, 60, is a Toledo native. She grew up in the Old West End, one of 11 children. She went to St. Ursula Academy before attending the University of Dayton, graduating in 1970 with a degree in communications.
Recently she was selected to participate in a Mellon Foundation multiyear program for Executive Leadership developed by the Center for Creative Leadership in Greensboro, N.C.
When she joined the TSO staff in 1988, she recalls, "I saw ways I could be helpful. I've always been interested in working with other people to make something happen, to cause something to grow. Development is a good way to do that."
Mr. Bell's long tenure has been shaped by standards he adopted early in his career.
"I have tried to nourish creativity, honesty, and transparency in a participatory environment for all," he said this week. His challenges included holding to a balance between two bottom lines - artistic and financial.
His passion for classical music performed at the highest possible level inspired Keith McWatters during his dual careers as orchestra manager and percussionist. "I wouldn't be here if not for him," he said, adding that he looks forward to working more closely with Ms. Carroll.
Mr. Bell continued: "This is more of a transition than a retirement. In this role, it is my hope to make use of my industry contacts with artists and agents and my familiarity with the orchestra to assist in the development of future Toledo Symphony seasons."
The outgoing president adds that he will have more time to practice and is hoping to be invited to perform with the symphony during the coming season.
And like everyone at the Toledo Symphony Orchestra, Mr. Bell is looking forward to May, 2011, when the symphony and Mr. Sanderling make their Carnegie Hall debuts as part of the Spring for Music Festival.
"We have a lot of work to do," Ms. Carroll said. "The orchestra is so worthy and the community feels very blessed by having it."
Contact Sally Vallongo at:
svallongo@theblade.com.
