Elaine Calder, Edmonton Symphony Orchestra's managing director, has not been appointed president of the Oregon Symphony, as was reported in several articles earlier this week.

She will however, (pending approval from the ESO board) be taking a leave of absence to work for the Oregon Symphony on a short term contract.

The Oregon Symphony has been without a president since June, when William A. Ryberg stepped down to become general director of the Palm Beach Opera. Board member Gerald R. Hulsman has been serving as interim president.

In a statement, Calder wrote, "I have spent five very happy years working with the musicians, staff and board of the Edmonton Symphony and we have accomplished an extraordinary amount together. Now that our accumulated deficit has been eliminated and we have a strong music director in William Eddins, we are starting to explore the many possibilities for the future development of this wonderful orchestra."

The Oregon Symphony has had a rocky ride recently; with staff cuts in August, a deficit of almost $1 million, contract negotiations and the imminent departure of concertmaster Amy Schwartz.

Calder's arts administration experience includes senior posts at the Shaw Festival, the Canadian Opera Company and the National Arts Centre in Canada. Before moving to Edmonton in 2001, she managed the Hartford Stage theater company in Connecticut for two years.

This is music director Carlos Kalmar's fourth season with the orchestra. The 2006-07 lineup includes the world premiere of Symphony No. 13 by Oregon composer Robert Kyr.