To the Conservatory Community May 9, 2012 Two days ago President Colin Murdoch advised the Board of Trustees of his intention to step down from the Presidency of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music at the conclusion of the 2012-2013 academic year. In June 2013, Colin will have completed 25 years of service to the Conservatory. He joined the Conservatory as Dean in 1988 and for more than 21 years he has served as President. Colin's presidency of the Conservatory has been extraordinary. Under his inspired leadership, the Conservatory has grown in size, quality and stature. His forward vision and tireless advocacy led to the relocation of the Conservatory to the marvelous facilities at Oak Street today, which without doubt is the most significant transformation of the Conservatory in the last 50 years. During his tenure, collegiate enrollment has grown from 245 to 375, while the endowment has grown from $11 million to $33 million. He has led us to a point where we can look forward to our Centenary and the next century with confidence. The Conservatory community's gratitude, respect and admiration for Colin are testaments to his accomplishments. About his decision Colin says, "When I was appointed president of the Conservatory in 1992, I made a 10-year internal commitment to serve. When 50 Oak Street became a possibility, I made a second 10-year commitment. Now, with the Conservatory's Centennial on the horizon in 2017, it too deserves a 10-year commitment from the Conservatory's president. Grateful and proud as I am for having been part of the Conservatory's first century, I know that the Conservatory's finest hours are yet to be heard in its second century." Given the foundation Colin has built, we are confident that we will find a worthy successor to continue his work and to accomplish new goals for the institution. The bylaws of the Conservatory stipulate that the appointment of the President is the responsibility of the Board of Trustees and that a search committee is appointed to assist and advise the Board in identifying candidates for the Board's consideration. I will appoint such a committee in my capacity as the Chair of the Board of Trustees, and will announce the membership of the Search Committee to the Conservatory community when the appointments are complete. It is envisioned that the Search Committee will be supported by the services of a search consultant and that the selection process for such a consultant will commence as soon as the committee is formed. In identifying the best candidates to lead the Conservatory into the next century of excellence and growth, we will invite nominations and applications from around the world. I would encourage the entire community to consider and suggest suitable individuals to the Search Committee. It will be the committee's priority to develop a pool of candidates that is broad and deep. The most difficult task of the committee will be to narrow this pool to the few who will possess the requisite skills for the president's office and provide the best fit for our institution. We anticipate a successful outcome in the search and hope to identify well before the end of the next academic year the person who will build upon the great accomplishments of Colin's presidency and lead us forward in our continuing quest for excellence. Timothy W. Foo Chair Board of Trustees