Seattle Orchestra’s Conductor to Step Down

Gerard Schwarz, music director of the Seattle Symphony Orchestra for two decades, has said he will quit the job at the end of his contract in 2011, according to The New York Times.

Mr. Schwarz, who is credited with helping the orchestra achieve national prominence, said he wanted to go out on top.

“The orchestra sounds great,” he said. “The audience is huge, supportive, a phenomenal community. We balanced the budget again for a second year running. We’re making records. If you’re going to go, this is the time to go, when you’re on track.”

The orchestra announced it would name Mr. Schwartz conductor laureate and guarantee him several weeks of concerts a year. It also recognized his prowess as a fund raiser by planning an endowment campaign to coincide with his last three years as music director. The goal for the endowment, which currently stands at $30-million, is $100-million.

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