It's not really good-bye. Starting next season, Andrew Litton will become music director emeritus of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. The title means that a couple times a year, Litton will return to conduct the DSO. Besides, he likes Dallas too much. "We love living here," he told Playbill. "My kids love their schools, and I feel like such a part of this community. People know me when I enter a restaurant or store." Litton went on to describe "the friendliness and openness of people" in Dallas.

He also spoke of his support for the Arts District downtown. "It has been so exciting, culturally, to have the Meyerson, Nasher Sculpture Center, and Dallas Museum of Art so close together. I can't wait to watch its development over the next five years. The addition of the Dallas Center for the Performing Arts will certainly make this a fascinating place to be."

The music director feels he achieved his goals for the orchestra during his tenure in Dallas.

"The symphony has improved in quality, expanded its repertoire, and increased international awareness. It is an orchestra Dallas can be proud of."

And how would the maestro like Dallas to remember him? "I hope Dallas remembers that this was a good time for the orchestra."