The Bryan Symphony Orchestra has hired Susan Miranda as the orchestra’s next Executive Director.
Board of Directors Vice President Mendy Richards said the search grabbed the attention of many candidates, not only across the nation but internationally as well. Richards said the orchestra usually hires someone local, but they chose Miranda, who is from Oklahoma.
“First of all, we need a person in place who could run the operation and you know move all the chess pieces, and meet deadlines, and help us with fundraising, and Susan brings all those things to the table,” Richards said.
Richards said Miranda also brings experience and a fresh, outside perspective. Richards said she believes under Miranda’s leadership the orchestra has a bright future.
“I believe that she is going to help us move forward in a positive way and in a way that, coming out of the pandemic, some orchestras have not survived frankly, but we are on the cusp of a new era that is positive and not negative at all,” Richards said.
Richards said the one thing that was crucial for the board of directors to get right with the hiring of a new director was someone who was good at fundraising and networking.
“She has a high turnover in the positive rate of grants and fundraising, so that’s the one thing that set our antennas sky high when we were talking to her,” Richards said. “She is very personable, and I don’t think she has ever met a stranger. She stands to be the face of the orchestra to the community that, for some reason, does not know about us despite the fact that we are 62 years old.”
Richards encourages supporters, old and new, to stay engaged with the orchestra. Richards said the orchestra will keep its traditional concert hall subscription concerts, but is also going to reach out to play different types of music and play at different venues to attract new supporters.
Richards said Cookeville is the smallest city in America with its own symphony orchestra.