President Woodcock Announces Plans to Step Down in 2015

New England Conservatory President Tony Woodcock announced yesterday his intent to step down from his position as president effective June 30, 2015. Woodcock, who has been at the helm of the Conservatory since 2007, shared his plans with Conservatory trustees yesterday afternoon.

Describing his decision as “bittersweet,” Woodcock read from a letter in which he reflected on his tenure at the Conservatory and his passion for classical music and the joys of engaging young people as they work to achieve musical excellence. He went on to say, however, that in his view, the Conservatory, particularly at this time, would be better served by a leader who through professional experience, has the kind of financial and management skills that will be required to successfully steer the organization through the construction of the Student Life and Performance Center, a major undertaking for the Conservatory slated for completion in 2017.

“Leading NEC is a privilege. Indeed, it is a job I have always described as the best job in the world,” said Woodcock, adding, “My motivation as President of NEC comes from my real love of the students, my deep respect for our faculty, and my passion for education, for music, and for the quality of the student experience. I am, after all, a musician, and I see NEC first through this prism … I feel strongly that it is time for me to return to my roots, if you will, and find an outlet where my creative, teaching, and musical talents are better tapped. I am therefore announcing my decision to step down as NEC president, effective at the end of the current academic year.”

Speaking on behalf of the Board of Trustees, Board Chair Ken Burnes lauded Woodcock’s accomplishments during his tenure even as he expressed support for his decision. “NEC has experienced remarkable progress under Tony’s leadership, which kicked off with a major deferred maintenance project,” said Burnes. “The expansion of our academic program and the rise of NEC’s stature among music schools not just in this country but worldwide are in large part because of Tony’s work and dedication. We are grateful to Tony for all that he has accomplished at NEC and will look to bring in a successor who will continue to deliver on the promise of musical education excellence in the face of ever increasing challenges confronting institutions of higher education.”

Burnes announced that the Board of Trustees will immediately begin a process to name a replacement, with the hope that a new president for the Conservatory will be on board by the beginning of the 2015–2016 academic year.