I am deeply saddened to hear that James Dane Harvey has resigned as executive director of the Salisbury Symphony. Since James moved back home to Salisbury in June 2017 I have gotten to know him both personally and professionally and have the deepest respect for him.

He was named to the Salisbury Post’s 10 to Watch for 2018 for a reason. He brought new ideas, passion and vision to the Salisbury Symphony and the arts community. He serves with me on the Rowan Arts Council so I have seen him at work first hand. He cares deeply about inclusiveness and has reached out on behalf of the Symphony to our growing Hispanic community, the African American community, lovers of jazz and lovers of country music in addition to the traditional supporters of the Symphony.

I am deeply committed to and have worked hard for years to support the arts and culture in our community. I am very proud of the strength of the arts and culture in Salisbury and Rowan County — our colleges, the theaters, Railwalk, the Symphony, Waterworks, our historic groups, Blues and Jazz and all the other organizations and events that bring such cultural richness to our community.  But organizations cannot continue to do business the way it has always been done and expect to survive into the future.

For any organization to survive it needs to be open to new ideas, reach out to new audiences and change with the times in a rapidly changing world. James did a great job of this. Others could learn from his example. We need more people like James in our community, not less.   

— Edward P. Norvell

Salisbury