Just in: Aldeburgh boss quits

Jonathan Reekie is leaving the seaside, making the announcement hours ahead of the highest tides in 60 years. He has been in charge for 16 years and the end of Britten 100 must seem a good time to move on. Press release:

JONATHAN REEKIE

ANNOUNCED AS DIRECTOR OF SOMERSET HOUSE TRUST WITH EFFECT FROM SPRING 2014

It has just been announced that Jonathan Reekie will be leaving Aldeburgh Music to take up the appointment of Director of Somerset House Trust with effect from spring 2014.

“After more than 16 wonderful years I’ve come to realise that there is nowhere better to be in the field of music than Aldeburgh. Moving to Somerset House, which will be a very different challenge, therefore seems like the perfect step for me.

“I’m very excited to be offered the role of Director of Somerset House. Its beautiful historic buildings and the creative tenants it houses offer huge potential for its next phase of development. I’m looking forward to working with the trustees and staff who have done such an excellent job restoring the site to its former glory and establishing it as an important cultural destination.

“I never imagined I would stay in Aldeburgh for such a long time. What has kept me there is the combination of the inspirational place, the richness of the Britten legacy and the wonderfully supportive trustees and staff. I shall always treasure the time I have spent there and look forward to taking much of what I have learnt, particularly in the area of nurturing talent, into my next challenge.

“I envy the person who will follow me in running such a special place, and feel extraordinarily lucky to be moving onto somewhere equally special.”

The 16 years of Jonathan’s tenure at Aldeburgh Music has been a period of extraordinary growth, which culminated this year with Benjamin Britten’s centenary. Simon Robey, Chairman of Aldeburgh Music, sums up Jonathan’s contribution: “Jonathan has made a truly massive contribution to Aldeburgh Music. Among his many achievements stand the extraordinary redevelopment of Snape Maltings, securing the future of the concert hall and creating stunning new spaces for artists and audiences. He and his team have built a wonderful year round artistic offering at Snape, have presided over internationally critically acclaimed festivals year after year and have built a world-renowned artist development programme. And, of course, he has led the Britten centenary celebrations in Aldeburgh with respect, creativity and acclaim, reminding us all about the vital role that Aldeburgh plays in the musical and artistic life of our county, country and world. He will leave Aldeburgh brimming with success, buzzing with energy and full of exciting possibilities for our future. “Jonathan will be with us until March 2014 and will finalise the programmes for 2014 before he leaves as well as completing other important projects, including our ACE submission and the first new opera collaboration with Royal Opera House and Opera North. In the event of a hiatus, General Manager, Harry Young, will act as interim CEO.”