The new executive director of the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra first arrived in the Capital City in 1998 to pursue a master’s degree in French horn performance at LSU, but stayed on to launch his career in arts management.
“Most everything I know about fundraising I learned by working with my mentors and colleagues at LSU,” Byrd tells Business Report in its new Executive Spotlight feature on him.
Byrd left for Houston in 2005, where he honed his administrative and development skills, most notably with the group Da Camera. His success there notwithstanding, he jumped at the chance to lead BRSO.
“This position … seemed to provide me with not only a logical next step in my career—the opportunity to lead a very respected arts organization—but a chance to return to a community that I call home,” he says.
While he still views himself as a musician, Timothy Muffitt is “the creative force behind the symphony,” Byrd says, adding: “My responsibility is to run a business that supports our artists and allows them to create amazing experiences for our community.”
Read the full Q&A with Byrd. Here’s a sample of what you’ll find:
What are three of your favorite movies?
“Raising Arizona, Mommy Dearest and Madagascar. How’s that for a combo?”
