It is a move that has created a lot of buzz around Lima and today we know much more as to why Lima Symphony Orchestra conductor, Maestro Crafton Beck will not be leading the orchestra after this season.
Since the announcement that Beck's contract will not be renewed after this season, there have been different rumors circulating as to why.
It was initially reported that the severing of ties was related to Beck wanting to do things that the symphony budget couldn't afford.
Symphony president Steve Johnson told Your News Now Thursday he regrets that, that the budget is something the entire organizations grapples with.
He did stress however, the symphony has operated under a deficit the past two years.
So why then is Beck not being renewed?
it simply comes down to Beck and the symphony's Executive Director Marie Drum not seeing eye-to-eye.
The symphony has a nearly 35 member Board of Directors and Johnson says he's acted on the direction of the board, not just a 6 to 8 member executive committee.
Johnson confirmed that Beck did go before the board this past spring to air his concerns about the symphony's management.
The symphony's volunteer stage manager Bev Bletstein says she finds it interesting the Lima News recently ran an editorial saying it was time for Beck to move on, and the person heading up that move is the former publisher of the Lima News. Johnson says he is the former publisher and has absolutely no input on what is printed.
Johnson says a search for Beck's replacement will include musicians, community leaders and the American League of Orchestra's. That process is already underway.
We should also note. We did ask Marie Drum to comment on the situation and she declined to be a part of this story
