Bill Lively, Citing Health Concerns, Steps Down as Dallas Symphony Prez Before He Begins

By Robert Wilonsky Fri., Apr. 29 2011 at 12:38 PM

Categories: Arts

Photo by Patrick Michels

Lively said in January, "What happens in this building with this orchestra can redefine how we define Dallas."

Only four months ago we were at the Meyerson when Roger Staubach and Tom Leppert gleefully introduced Bill Lively as the incoming president and CEO of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. But only days after officially taking the reins part-time on April 1, Lively has stepped down: The DSO sends word that Lively, outgoing Super Bowl XLV host committee president who was due to take over full time at the DSO early this summer, is stepping down due to health concerns.

Says Lively in the release:

"Based on strong recommendations over the past few weeks from my physician, I have made this precautionary decision and will devote significant time this summer to rest and recuperation. I entered into this position with a full heart and intention to stay long-term as president, but it became quickly apparent that my health concerns would not allow me to fulfill these obligations. It has been a privilege to work with Jaap van Zweden, the musicians, and the Dallas Symphony board and staff in the process of identifying and strategizing the immense opportunities this organization has in front of it. I sincerely regret that I need to leave this role prematurely."

DSO Board Chair Ronald J. Gafford said the board "respects and understands" his decision and will begin immediately looking for a replacement.

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Tex

Mr. Lively grew up in Oak Cliff, the heart and soul of Dallas. Oak Cliff is like Austin, without the self-righteousness."No where is the pressure to conform greater than in North Dallas." Molly Ivins.

Lively is a great man whose heart is not in good condition.

LakeWWWooder

Mr. Lively is a native son who had made our city even greater. I thank him for what he has done for Big D!

Chris Danger

Seeing how this guy helped sink SuperBowl XLV, I have a feeling it was the DSO board who had a hand in this. Who wants someone who cant even handle the largest annual sporting event in the western world...

Cam2008

An ignorant statement Chris... if you knew anything, you would know that Bill Lively's primary job with the North Texas Super Bowl Host Committee was to raise money, and he did that better than anyone has ever done in any Super Bowl city before. He also raised most of the money for the Dallas Arts District. What have you done for your city lately? Maybe do a little research before posting a comment like that next time.

Bob

Speaking of doing research, Cam2008, if you had done a little more research, you would not have stated that Lively "raised most of the money for the Dallas Arts District." You would have found that he AND a well-heeled committee raised a bunch of money for the Dallas Performing Arts Center (the opera house, theater, and uncompleted performance hall, not to mention the redo of Strauss Square and that vacuum they call a park), which added to the already funded and completed Meyerson Symphony Center, Dallas Museum of Art, Nasher Sculpture Center, Belo Manson, Guadalupe Cathedral, Crow Museum, and Booker T. Washington Art Magnet High School.

Give the man credit for what he did for the Performing Arts Center, but don't exaggerate his fund-raising accomplishments to include the rest of the Arts District.

dertymindz

I pee on sidewalks.

Becky Hopkins

http://50ANDHOLDINGBLOG.INFO

Raal1994

@Chris Danger, Bill raised money for the Superbowl, which he did really successfully. He was not in charge of the weather or the seating. He is a legend in this city, and the fact that you ask "who would want him" means you never met him and never worked with him.

wolf

Symphony is about to go out of business like Philadelphia's did last week.

facts?

Clearly you're not aware of the DSO's large endowment and financial position. It's one of the strongest major orchestras in the country, certainly not on the brink of failure.