Orchestra Kentucky Executive Director Darrell G. Edwards has resigned after 12 1/2 years in the position.

Edwards had been serving part time, spending a portion of his time in Charleston, S.C., with his family and the other part in Bowling Green.

“I’m approaching 70 years old. I’m not interested in living in Bowling Green full time. My children are in Charleston. My grandchildren are in Charleston,” he said. “I planned to resign next June. This works out better. A new person can come in at the beginning of the season.”

The orchestra is now seeking a full-time person to fill the position, particularly since the orchestra has grown in its 16 years of existence to a budget of nearly $1 million, said orchestra Board President Thad Connally III.

“Our main three goals are ticket sales, sponsorship and individual donors. We, the board, are looking for all the options,” he said. “Operationally we’re in very good shape. We want to see Orchestra Kentucky thrive in the future because it’s such a treasure to the community.”

It’s not easy to see Edwards go, Connally said.

“There’s nothing negative about Darrell and his efforts. Darrell has done nothing but raise the level of the orchestra,” he said. “I can’t thank him enough. It was difficult to receive that resignation. He has become a personal friend.”

A committee will begin the search for a new executive director in a couple of weeks, Connally said.

Jeff Reed, orchestra music director, said when the orchestra hired Edwards, it was playing six concerts a year with about a $50,000 budget.

“Now we perform 16 concerts a year and our budget has grown nearly 20 times in size. I am grateful for Darrell’s leadership and his friendship,” he said in a news release. “I hope he enjoys being able to spend more time with his family. I always marveled at his willingness to drive over 500 miles each month to work with the orchestra. That was incredible dedication.”

Edwards knows every mile of the 583 1/2 miles he traveled between Charleston and Bowling Green.

“We have the best of both worlds – Bowling Green and the beach,” he said.

It’s been a pleasure watching the orchestra grow, Edwards said.

“I’ve had incredible support from the board of directors and the musicians are really great,” he said. “They love coming to Bowling Green and working with Jeff. You don’t see any frowns here.”

To see Reed’s career take off “has been a joy to behold,” Edwards said.

“He’s such a studied conductor. What you see in rehearsal is what you’ll see onstage. The orchestra is made up of professionals and I’m sure they appreciate that,” he said. “The Rewinders are all home grown and they do something besides making music. They are performing all over the country.”

This won’t be the last Kentucky will see of Edwards.

“My wife is principle flute (in Orchestra Kentucky) and probably will continue to play,” he said. “I go over and do fundraising and help with board development for the Owensboro Dance Theatre. I’ll continue to help with that.”

His wife, Tacy, founded an orchestra called the North Charleston Pops. It is entering its fifth year in September, Edwards said.

“She had been doing a lot of contracting of large acts. She suggested to the mayor, ‘why don’t we start our own orchestra and be the house band?’ ” he said. “I’m going to help raise money for that orchestra.”

— Follow features reporter Alyssa Harvey on Twitter @bgdnfeatures or visit bgdailynews.com.