Seattle Symphony head to call it quits

Only two and a half years after he was appointed, Seattle Symphony executive director Paul Meecham has announced his departure from the orchestra's top administrative post.

What happened? Meecham will not elaborate, except to say that "I'm leaving at the end of my contract in December for personal reasons, and I am asking everyone to respect that. I wanted to allow plenty of time for the board to make a smooth transition."

Meecham added he might leave earlier if an opportunity arises: "This is the right thing for me personally."

The Seattle post was Meecham's first experience as the executive director of an American orchestra — essentially the orchestra CEO. Meecham ran the London Sinfonietta, a respected new-music ensemble, from 1991 to 1997, and then was general manager of the San Francisco Symphony for 18 months before moving to that same post at the New York Philharmonic in 1999.

When reached by phone at his office and asked about his future plans, Meecham said, "I'll need to consider my next move in the next few weeks and months. I haven't gotten that far; we have just come off a very busy season and we are working very hard to meet our projections for the current fiscal year."

Those projections will likely include "a significant financial shortfall" — an amount that Meecham would not estimate.

"The board agreed more than a year ago to a financial shortfall this season," he explained. After the musicians' contract was negotiated last year, the amount of the shortfall decreased, "but it is still a large number."

Last year also ended in the red: a season shortfall of $196,000 and an accumulated deficit of $1.05 million. Despite the shortfalls, the Symphony is heading toward financial stability by 2009, Meecham said, with a multiyear plan in place that includes building the endowment.

Both Meecham and music director Gerard Schwarz debunked the rumor that the two men don't get along. "I have a terrific relationship with Jerry," Meecham said, "and we have worked on major artistic projects together, including the 'Made in America' festivals. It is a matter of personal disappointment to me that this working relationship will end, because we've worked well together."

Schwarz, who was en route Monday to the Eastern Music Festival in North Carolina, agreed that the two were on "very good" terms, citing Meecham's "great ear and sound musical judgment."

His Seattle tenure included some significant milestones, such as the negotiation of a labor contract with the musicians (through 2009), and the launch of national radio broadcasts and commercial recordings (on the Naxos label).

Meecham's tenure also has been marked by some staff vacancies and departures, most notably development director. Rebecca Kelly and several of her staff left before Meecham's arrival, but it took more than a year to find her successor. (Public-relations director Mary Langholz also resigned several months ago; she has not been replaced).

Nan Garrison came in as development director in December. Meecham said that he had to search "long and hard" for the right person. "Many arts organizations are going through lengthy searches in what is described as 'an over-fished pool' of talent at the level we need now. If a development director leaves, they often take their staff with them. I have not had difficulties replacing staff."

Symphony board chairman Ron Woodard said yesterday that Meecham has "made significant contributions with his knowledge of the industry and the art form. He's a guy I really enjoy and like, and he has done a lot to get us on track for this first year of our four-year 'get financially healthy' campaign."

Melinda Bargreen: mbargreen@seattletimes.com