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Austin360 blogs > Austin Arts: Seeing Things > Archives > 2009 > September > 01 > Entry
Orchestra musician protest ED’s absence
More than two dozen musicians of the Austin Symphony Orchestra have signed a letter protesting the sudden absence of Galen Wixson, the orchestra’s executive director.
The letter was sent Monday to the orchestra’s executive committee after rumor’s emerged that Wixson had been fired.
A person answering the phone at the orchestra’s office Monday told the American-Statesman that Wixson no long works there. And Wixson is, as of late Tuesday, no listed on the orchestra’s Web site. Anthony Corroa is listed as interim executive director.
Jane Sibley, chairman of the orchestra board of directors, declined to comment.
“The Musician’s Committee found him to be a forward-thinking man, well-spoken and willing to listen to ideas,” said the letter, a copy of which was obtained by the American-Statesman. “We find it hard to imagine a reason good enough to force him to leave. We believe his leaving would be a mistake for this organization.”
Lana Harris, a violist and chairman of the committee that represents the orchestra musicians’ interests to the board of trustees, said that the musicians rarely petition the board.
Harris said that no board meeting was called to discuss Wixson’s dismissal.
“This was an unusual enough situation to state what we felt and state it quickly,” said Harris. “We’re concerned long-term what kind of message this will send.”
Wixson had only been on the job since mid-March.
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