NICEVILLE — Northwest Florida State College’s youth musical programs are getting new leadership.
Beginning this month, Brian Brown will take over direction of the Northwest Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra and individual music lessons, according to the college.
Brown is a principal violist for three symphony orchestras in the area and teaches at the Mobile String Academy.
“The Northwest Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra will continue its full schedule of performances, utilization of the music education facilities of the Mattie Kelly Arts Center and other instruction and enrichment endeavors,” NWF State Vice President Sasha Jarrell wrote in a news release.
Jarrell is overseeing the college while President Ty Handy recovers from knee surgery.
News of the change in leadership spread over the weekend after longtime music director Liz Aylor was told last Friday her contract wasn’t being renewed.
“I just can’t believe it,” Aylor said when reached Wednesday. “I just cannot believe they’ve done this to me.”
NWF State’s news release stated that Aylor had led the program since its inception, but gave no reason for letting her go.
Aylor took the job while she was teaching music in Okaloosa County schools and continued with it after she retired from the school district.
Parents who have worked with Aylor said the loss will be felt keenly.
“To begin with, Liz is a very passionate musician and that kind of passion inspires passion,” said Theresa Dennis who has known Aylor since she taught her children music in elementary school. “When somebody believes in something that much … it’s contagious.”
Dennis said her child and others do not plan to continue with the college’s program since they learned of Aylor’s departure.
Contact Daily News Staff Writer Katie Tammen at 850-315-4440 or ktammen@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @KatieTnwfdn.
