Parting sweet sorrow for CSO chief

By Marc Shulgold, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published August 29, 2008 at 3 p.m.

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Seated in his soon-to-be-empty office deep inside Boettcher Hall, Doug Adams settled on a single word to describe his departure from the Colorado Symphony.

Bittersweet.

"I think that sums it up pretty well," said the orchestra's president and CEO. "I do feel good about what I've done here.

"But then, I know I am not going to walk on the stage of our new concert hall to welcome people when it finally opens."

Instead, he'll be back in Texas, where he's headed next week to become president of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.

In his six years here, Adams, 56, has seen the CSO achieve financial stability - something that was not present when he arrived.

But his biggest contribution will be visible for decades to come: a gleaming new Boettcher. He served as high-profile leader of a hard-fought campaign to launch the $90 million renovation that was no slam- dunk. Adams and his support team had to win the favor of city officials, Denver voters and symphony donors.

"The new building can be transformational for the orchestra and for the city," he said. "I feel good about what I've done."

But then, Adams has always felt that way. Each night, he would introduce himself to CSO audiences by declaring, "I'm privileged to be president of your Colorado Symphony."

That will always hold true. "It really has been a privilege and a joy. This was the hardest decision of my life."

The offer to return to Dallas was simply too good to pass up. Adams had managed a TV station there and served on the board of the Dallas Symphony. From 1999 to 2002, he was the orchestra's general manager. Though they both loved Colorado, Adams and his wife always kept Texas close to their hearts.

"When the invitation from Dallas came, Pamela said, 'Let's do this.' Even though she loved it here and has been involved with several local organizations, she is totally rooted in Texas."

The couple's son lives there, and their daughter attends Southern Methodist University in Dallas.

Adams stressed that he wasn't looking for a change, even after he learned of Fred Bronstein's resignation as DSO president in February. But it did cross his mind. The Dallas job, he admitted, is "the only thing in the world that would pull me away (from the CSO)."

Still, Adams was resistant when the search committee contacted him. "I went there for a visit in May. It didn't feel right. I thought, 'This is silly.'

"Then, I heard some members of the board talk about raising the level of the orchestra. I heard Verdi's Requiem with Jaap conducting - and he just fired everyone's imagination."

Newly arrived music director Jaap van Zweden proved a major factor in Adams' change of heart. When he returned to Dallas in June, he met with the conductor.

"It was then that I thought, 'This might be something that's right for me.' It would be intriguing to be part of building an orchestra up. I felt a calling there, just like I did here."

When he arrived in Denver in 2002, the CSO was on shaky financial ground, having recently experienced its first deficit as well as a long period of ineffective administrative leadership.

“Back then, the orchestra had a (national) reputation of being at risk,” he noted.

Board co-chairs Jerome and Mary Kern persuaded Adams to take the job. He was impressed by their words and deeds. In fact, Adams added, “the organization wouldn’t be here today without the hard work and dedication of the Kerns.”

The CSO’s stock rose considerably during Adams’ tenure. “Soon after I took the job here, I went to an (American Symphony Orchestra League) meeting, and a guy said with a sneer, ‘Oh, you’re from — Denver.’ ”

Fast-forward to last June, when the city hosted the National Performing Arts Convention.

“Six years ago, they would have laughed at the thought of holding it here,” Adams suggested. “But then, to sit in Boettcher and see their reactions when they heard the orchestra play.

“Knowing the respect this organization enjoys nationally is very satisfying to me,” he said.

Still, it won’t be easy for the Adams to leave the CSO and Colorado (the couple still owns a home in Breckenridge). In fact, it’s already been tough.

“Some on the board were shocked when I told them. And then, I had to tell the orchestra. I’ve had a wonderful, close relationship with the players, just as I had in Dallas. There was a reaction, and some tears. But then, they said, ‘We’re happy for you.’

“Then, at some point, I’m sure they thought, ‘Oh my gosh! What about me?’ Musicians are generally nervous types,” Adams said. “I told them, ‘Look, good things are happening and you’re OK.’ ”

That appears to be true. Board Chair Kevin Duncan has said he’ll rely on the board and staff rather than hire an interim president.

But major challenges loom for Adams’ successor. He stressed that the endowment needs to grow to $40 million (it nearly tripled during his tenure, to $12 million). Other priorities: searching for a music director to succeed Jeffrey Kahane (who steps down in two seasons) and overseeing the renovation of Boettcher.

Those tasks will land in someone else’s hands. Adams must look ahead. The Texas job beckons, offering its own challenges. Whether he’s in Dallas or Denver, he views his life the same way.

“This was never just a job. This is a real passion.”

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