With pianist Jonathan Biss set to kick off the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra’s new season tonight with an opening night gala performance of Beethoven’s “Emperor” concerto and Tchaikovsky’s “Symphony No. 4 in F minor,” 225 recently sat down with BRSO Executive Director Cary Byrd to talk about the upcoming season.
For Byrd, who is taking on his first full season in the position while the symphony celebrates its 67th, the new season is all about growth and evolution.
“Arts organizations cannot stay stagnant,” he says. “They’re either thriving and growing or dying. It’s a misconception that something can stay status quo and be relevant. You must constantly reinvent and come up with ways to engage the people you serve.”
Byrd took this advice from his former boss, Anthony Freud, to heart. When Byrd arrived as the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra executive director last September, the season, staff and marketing materials were already in place.
“I made a commitment to myself and the board that I was not going to come in and say, ‘That’s wrong … no way … stop that,’” he says. “I needed to see what was happening.”
Following a black-tie four-course dinner this evening at the opening gala, Biss will perform at the River Center Theatre, kicking off the symphony’s Masterworks series. Other season highlights include Grammy-winning guitarist Sharon Isbin on Nov. 19. The show opens the Lamar Chamber series. Next spring, the orchestra will perform “Pixar in Concert,” which features musical segments from all 14 of the Pixar films.
Throughout the season, all guest performers will connect with the community. Byrd says the acts have agreed to meet with students of all ages. Biss will host a recital at LSU, and cellist Gary Hoffman will host a master class series at the university as well.
Read the full feature, which includes full details on the complete BRSO season. Send your comments to editor@225batonrouge.com.
