Janna Hymes resigns as Carmel Symphony's artistic director to pursue new position
After six years as artistic director of the Carmel Symphony Orchestra, Janna Hymes has departed to focus on a new role in Arizona and other opportunities.
The ensemble announced her resignation in a news release Oct. 7, when it began its new season at the Palladium.
“As this may come as a surprise, my plan was to wait for the recent transition of staff and board changes to be secured before resigning. Now that those positions are filled this is the right time for me to leave,” Hymes stated in the news release. “With my new position as Artistic Director of the Sedona Symphony, increased guest conducting opportunities and other work options, it is time to move on."
Hymes' departure comes before the end of her Carmel contract, which had been extended through 2025. The Sedona Symphony hired Hymes as artistic director and conductor this past spring.
“While I’m thrilled with this great opportunity to build up a new symphony in the gorgeous backdrop of the red rocks of Sedona, it’s always hard to leave something you’ve built up," Hymes stated. "I'm proud of what we’ve accomplished together and wish the orchestra continued success."
Recent personnel changes include new executive director Anne Marie Chastain, who replaced Cara Pittenger, who took the same position at the Indiana Youth Orchestra. New members of the board's executive committee include President Caleb Bullock, Vice President Adam Cox, Treasurer Muniver Singh, Secretary Larry Lawhead and past President Rob Schlegel, according to symphony spokesman Dan McFeely.
Hymes' achievements in Carmel include transitioning the symphony from a mix of volunteers and paid positions to paid professionals, programming new music for concerts, and expanding education and outreach.
Prior to taking the Carmel post, Hymes was associate conductor of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra from 1997 to 2000, where she was the first woman on the conducting staff, according to IndyStar archives. As the associate conductor, Hymes was an understudy to former music director Raymond Leppard.
“She brought energy to every creative performance," Bullock said in the release. "We’re grateful that she leaves us in a good place to build on her legacy of service to the CSO, and we wish her the best in her new position in Sedona and beyond.”
David Commanday, artistic director and conductor of the Heartland Festival Orchestra in Illinois, was the guest conductor Oct. 7. More information about the search for a new artistic director for Carmel will be forthcoming, McFeely said.
Looking for things to do? Our newsletter has the best concerts, art, shows and more — and the stories behind them
Contact IndyStar reporter Domenica Bongiovanni at 317-444-7339 or d.bongiovanni@indystar.com. Follow her on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter: @domenicareports.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Janna Hymes resigns as Carmel Symphony's artistic director
