Lead administrator quits Detroit Symphony job

The financially strapped Detroit Symphony Orchestra has lost its lead administrator.

Emil Kang, president and executive director of the orchestra since June 2000, has resigned effective Dec. 31. The exact reasons were unclear Monday.

In a statement the symphony issued, Kang said, "With a new chairman and executive committee just taking over, I believe the timing is right for me to move on. It will give the new leadership a fresh start and an unencumbered opportunity to take the actions they believe necessary."

The orchestra celebrated the opening of the $60 million Max M. Fisher Center in October, but also ran a $1.8 million deficit in 2003, the third consecutive year it's been in the red.

It has run operating deficits of more than $3 million the past three years, though a $1 million transfer from its endowment two years ago means the accumulated deficit stands at $2.2 million.

The orchestra, which has played a key role in revitalizing downtown Detroit, now finds itself without a leader when it can least afford further mistakes.

New board chairman Jim Nicholson, chief executive officer and president of PVS Chemicals in Detroit, declined to comment on whether the 35-year-old Kang was asked to step down.

"He was the executive director," he told the Detroit Free Press. "He ran the orchestra with some successes and some failures."

Nicholson told The Detroit News he's "already put together a strong list of candidates" to fill the job.