As I step away from the Chair of the Toronto Symphony Board, I have been asked about the highlights of my last eight years. Instead of answering in the form of an interview, I wanted to speak to you directly about the best of my time here.
I fell in love with the musicians. Their talent, their dedication. I’ve been going to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra since I was twelve years old, but never did I dream of being able to meet, speak with, host, break bread with, these people from all over the world, with all kinds of backgrounds and stories. That’s been my greatest pleasure and happiness.
I was really lucky when Gary Hanson swooped in as CEO. He had retired from The Cleveland Orchestra, but committed two years to us here in Toronto. He wanted to help. I remain so grateful.
Matthew Loden got so many more challenges than he bargained for when he first arrived here. He met them all and we’re in such a better position because of it.
Gustavo Gimeno flew into Toronto on the day the musicians voted on a new Music Director. He didn’t need to; there was a risk; it showed the kind of commitment and desire that is, through and through, his nature.
Roberta Smith taking up the role of Acting CEO when we needed her. I admire her calm demeanour and decisiveness.
The first time I met Mark Williams was in Cleveland. He was having dinner with Gustavo. After that meeting, I had hoped, and secretly believed, he would one day find himself at the TSO.
Sir Andrew Davis was a friend to my parents, and to me, for decades. It was wonderful to see him bookend his career by coming back, for two wonderful years, to the symphony orchestra that he had led as a young man.
I want to thank the staff that makes the organization run so well today. You have used your collective know-how, your imagination and your intuition to significantly improve the way we work.
I now know practically everyone at the organization – staff, musicians, and a number of the donors. Everybody treated me very well, and I have enjoyed all my time with them. I did not know or expect I would sit for two-plus terms, and it’s now time for me to pass on the Chair to Tom Smee. To my once-fellow Board Members, those who have served a long time as well as newer members: I thank you for your commitment to the TSO.
Two final highlights: our tour to Israel, where we danced in Tel Aviv, and our TSO centenary tour of New York and Chicago, including the performance at Carnegie Hall.
I will be back at Roy Thomson Hall, which I now think of as a house with all my friends in it. Thank you for what you have given me these past eight years.
—Cathy Beck
