President of San Francisco Symphony to step down

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Nancy Bechtle, president of the San Francisco Symphony, will step down next December.

Bechtle was the second woman to lead the symphony. During her presidency, the symphony embarked on a major touring program, crossing the United States eight times and traveling to Europe and Asia.

Under Bechtle, the symphony released more than 40 CDs and won three Grammy Awards for a recording of work by Igor Stravinsky.

"The symphony is stronger than ever before, and the timing of my decision is based on that strength," Bechtle said Monday. She plans to remain on the symphony's board of governors.

Copyright 2000   The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

San Francisco Symphony

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