Orchestra Kentucky is beginning a national search for its next executive director.
Darrell Edwards left the post with the Bowling Green-based group earlier this month after 12 years on the job.
Orchestra Kentucky Music Director Jeffrey Reed credits Edwards with helping transform the group, which began as a chamber orchestra doing about six concerts a year.
“When we hired Darrell we had just existed for three or four seasons, so we were in our infancy. He gave us experience and vision, helping us realize we really could step out and grow the organization.”
In the past 12 years, Orchestra Kentucky’s annual budget has increased from $50,000 to $900,000. The group now does about 15 concerts a year that include classical and popular music.
Reed says the search committee has defined three main qualities in the person who will fill the position.
“We need someone who can cast a vision for the organization, kind of a visionary planner, so to speak. We need someone who can manage the operations of the organization. And then someone who can engage the community.”
The deadline for applications is Oct. 14. The orchestra hopes to have the new executive director in place by the end of this year.
