Jeff Reed is set to retire from the role of music director for Orchestra Kentucky and the Ramsey Theatre Company during the 2026-2027 season, but will continue serving as president and CEO of the Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center.

Reed announced his retirement at SKyPAC on Tuesday. He said the decision to step down came because he has “been working two jobs,” leading the orchestra and SKyPAC.

“That’s more than I could handle and really do well, and I felt like Orchestra Kentucky deserved someone who could give (it) all of their attention,” he said.

Reed has led Orchestra Kentucky since he created it in 2000. He spoke on some of the accomplishments he has made over the years, including twice conducting the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Royal Albert Hall in London.

“When I look back on the journey from our earliest days to now, it feels less like a career milestone (and) more like a fairy tale story,” Reed said Tuesday.

The search for Reed’s successor has begun. He said no hard-set date is in place for when a successor will be chosen, and he will retire as soon as one is found.

“It may take a while and we want to make sure we get the right person,” Reed said. “The biggest tragedy, in my eyes, would be … to have it come to an end because of not having the right person.”