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New Jacksonville Symphony CEO Envisions Broadening Reach Beyond Jax

Massey
Peter Haden
/
WJCT News

The Jacksonville Symphony announced its new president and CEO today. Just months after conductor and music director Courtney Lewis came on board, the symphony has chosen former Orchestra Iowa chief executive Robert Massey to lead the organization.

"He and I share a vision for the future of the Jacksonville Symphony, a future founded in reaching new levels of artistic excellence, strengthening our cultural citizenship and broadening our reach in and outside of this community," Massey said Thursday. 

Massey has led two symphonies and grew audiences and revenues at both. He says he also values collaborations with other cultural organizations including ballets, museums and educational institutions.

The Jacksonville Symphony has undergone large changes following financial troubles during the economic downturn and an impasse with the musicians' union over salaries. 

Jessica Palombo supervises local news gathering and production, podcasts and web editorial content for WJCT News, ADAPT and Jacksonville Today. She is an award-winning writer and journalist with bylines including NPR, Experience Magazine, and The Gainesville Sun. She has a master’s degree in broadcast and digital journalism from Syracuse University and is an alumna of the University of Florida. A nearly lifelong resident of Jacksonville, she considers herself lucky to be raising her own children in her hometown. Follow Jessica Palombo on Twitter: @JaxJessicaP