Symphony Executive Director Michael Jonnes leaving Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The Springfield Symphony Orchestra is conducting a worldwide search to replace retiring Executive Director Michael Jonnes.

On Tuesday night, the SSO announced that on December 31, Jonnes would be leaving the job he has held since 1998. Jonnes made the decision in order to relocate with his wife to the Mid Atlantic region in order to be closer to their elderly parents.

Maestro Kevin Rhodes, who Jonnes helped bring to Springfield as Music Director, says that he wishes him all the best.

“I have deeply enjoyed having a partner in the business of running the SSO who loves and understands what we do. As Michael begins to write the next chapter of his professional and personal life, I am sure it will be marked by the qualities which have been the hallmarks of his work with the SSO: honesty, sincerity, fairness, and a love of other people,” Rhodes said in a statement sent to 22News.

Jonnes is credited with building partnerships with local nonprofit organizations and helping the SSO bring-in a distinguished group of soloists to Symphony Hall. Prominent people who have performed with the SSO include Dionne Warwick in 2009 and Judy Collins, who will appear with the orchestra in March.

Peter Salerno of Wilbraham will be Jonnes' temporary replacement while a worldwide search for a new executive director begins.