Maestro Robert Bernhardt announced today that he will be stepping down as the music director and conductor of the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera at the start of 2011. The board of directors of the CSO voted unanimously to name him as music director emeritus and opera artistic director of the CSO at that time.

Board Chair Susan Rich said, "The Chattanooga Symphony and Opera has been fortunate to have visionary leadership throughout our history. We are privileged to announce that this tradition will continue with Maestro Robert Bernhardt stepping down as music director in 2011 to serve as music director emeritus and the artistic director for the Opera. Nothing could please all of us more."

A search committee will be chaired by Spencer McCallie during the upcoming season to search for the new music director and conductor. This will involve having guest conductors visit Chattanooga during the 2008-2011 seasons and conduct the orchestra at various times during the Classical/ Masterworks performances.

The CSO hopes the successful guest conductor candidate will become the permanent music director and Conductor at the start of the 2011-2012 season.

"Bob Bernhardt's leadership has been instrumental over the past 15 years in positioning the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera as a company that is envied by many across the country. We are fortunate to have him remain for the next three years, providing artistic leadership and continuity as we search for his replacement. His new position will continue the success and serve as a foundation for the future," said Mr. McCallie.

Maestro Bernhardt said, "I cannot begin to express my honor at being named music director emeritus and artistic director of the Opera. Nora and I have had many opportunities proposed to us; but when we took a hard look at our own destiny, we found that all roads were leading us back to a place we've both grown to love - Chattanooga. There really is no place like home and we are proud and humbled to call Chattanooga ours."

Also, officials said the recently completed audit report of the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera shows that the CSO "is successfully reversing a financial decline, thanks in part to cuts in expenditures as well as a reorganization of staff."

“We challenged the staff of the CSO to look at every performance, program and expenditure, “said Mark Stewart, board treasurer. “What we found was a group of professionals willing to make hard choices for the betterment of the entire organization. Through the measured efforts of our staff, the CSO has weathered the storm and is now well-poised for the future.”

Mr. Stewart said the organization has cut operating expenditures by 13 percent. The elimination of an opera production and other production-related costs reduced those expenses by 41 percent.

“We cut approximately $400,000 in 2008 compared to 2007’s budget. The result of these moves is a deficit reflecting less than half of last year’s losses and a budget moving in a very positive direction,” he said. “At the same time, we have been able to maintain our commitment to our orchestra members and provide our audiences with quality performances. The budget allocation for musicians actually increased by a small amount in 2008.”

The Chattanooga Symphony & Opera will kick off a year-long celebration later this month to mark their 75th anniversary. The CSO was formed in 1933—the same year the Tennessee valley Authority was introduced by President Roosevelt—and is the oldest combined symphony and opera organization in the United States.

“This is an exciting time for the CSO. With new leadership, a hard-line business approach and the best musicians around, we are poised to provide exceptional musical experiences to the community we serve for another 75 years,” said Ms. Rich.