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Asheville Symphony Keeping Executive Director, Looking To Next Concert in February 2021

The Asheville Symphony Orchestra is holding onto its executive director, after all.

David Whitehill, who held his role with the orchestra since 2012, had announced in March that he would leave this summer for a similar position with the Louisiana Philharmonic in New Orleans. But on

Tuesday, Whitehill said his sense of responsibility led him to remain in Asheville—with the blessing of the orchestra’s board—to see the orchestra through and beyond the Coronavirus pandemic.

“This crisis is very different from any other crisis in 20 years I’ve faced as an orchestra manager,” Whitehill said. “There’s just so much uncertainty and the impacts to orchestras will be significant, and I feel a real sense of ownership and responsibility for how the Asheville Symphony navigates through these problems.”

The orchestra, which in March canceled the remainder of its 2019-2020 season, has made plans to be back in the concert hall for a shortened season beginning in February 2021. Specific program details are coming soon from the orchestra.

Matt Peiken, BPR’s first full-time arts journalist, has spent his entire career covering arts and culture.
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