The Poway Symphony Orchestra Foundation will see a change of leadership when founding President Bo Matthys is succeeded by longtime Vice President James Reid on June 1.

“It’s been an honor to see the Poway Symphony Orchestra grow from an idea into a thriving and valuable cultural asset for the community,” Matthys said. “Thanks to our dedicated musicians, patrons and supporters, we’ve built something truly unique and special.”

Though not a musician, it was Matthys’ appreciation for music that inspired him to start volunteering with the orchestra shortly after its formation in 2004.

“They started a class through the Poway Adult School. I heard about it and started following it,” he said. “I was not a musician, but an interested person.”

Matthys’ early efforts included making fliers for concerts and helping with marketing efforts, he said. But his involvement changed dramatically once John LoPiccolo became its director and conductor in 2014. The orchestra now has around 65 members, a mix of professional and semi-professional musicians.

“With John joining, I saw the potential for it to be more than a class,” Matthys said. “I saw that it could be something more and went about to create the foundation because the performances were more organized and had expenses. It needed a nonprofit to support it.”

The foundation was formed in 2015 with Matthys as its board president. He has held the position ever since. His efforts included establishing its nonprofit status, helping to build a solid donor network, securing a rehearsal space through Poway Unified School District and establishing a stable concert presence at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts.

“I always wanted to give back something to society in appreciation for the classical music that I have cherished throughout my life,” he said. “This orchestra gave me that opportunity. It has been incredibly fulfilling to help build and support an ensemble that now brings high-quality symphonic music to our community.”

After stepping down, Matthys will take on the role of president emeritus.

Reid, who earned a doctorate in music from UCLA, has been the board’s vice president for the last eight years. A Rancho Bernardo resident since 1988, he has a career in the business sector, which has included helping Japanese businesses in the biotech and life sciences. But he has also been an adjunct professor specializing in Asian music.

In the 1990s, he taught music at UC San Diego and San Diego State University. He also played the piano, saxophone and various Japanese instruments years ago.

“I’ve been deeply connected to classical music since childhood,” Reid said. “My career path diverged into the business world, I’ve never stopped intensive studying and listening to the Western classical music tradition.

“The opportunity to help guide this orchestra is a tremendous honor,” he said. “I hope to build on the solid foundation Bo Matthys has created in the past two decades and use our momentum to actualize the full potential of our fine orchestra.”

Reid referred to Matthys as “the father of the (orchestra).”

“His contributions are unparalleled,” he said. “We are fortunate that he will continue to lend his insight and support as president emeritus.”

Matthys, who moved to Poway with his wife Elisabeth 46 years ago, said he is most proud of how the orchestra has grown in esteem.

“It has taken quite a bit of work, but through effort gradually became more organized and grew in several aspects,” Matthys said. “It is better at performing and its music has reached a high level that artistically and musically we can be proud of. It performs three concerts at the PCPA (annually) and hopefully those can increase.

“It has also increased in recognition in the Poway and Rancho Bernardo broader region, in the entire North County,” he said. “This is something of an achievement, attracting people to come to Poway for the concerts and the musicians come from the same region. … I am very proud we have been able to do that. It has changed from a homegrown orchestra to an orchestra in the region.”

Matthys described his efforts over the years as a labor of love and said he is pleased to know it will be in good hands under Reid’s leadership. Matthys said he wanted there to be a smooth leadership transition and he will stay involved to provide guidance as needed.

As for future goals, Reid said they include the orchestra’s growth and innovation. His stated priorities include strengthening its finances through expanded donor engagement and grant opportunities, expanding its concert season, launching an educational outreach program through PUSD and enhancing community partnerships and awareness in the region.

“The (orchestra) has nearly unlimited potential, given the right resources,” Reid said, calling its supporters “the lifeblood of our mission. Together, we can create a lasting legacy of music and cultural enrichment for Poway, North County and beyond.”

All expansion efforts are just in the discussion stages now, but Reid said they could include such things as workshops led by some of the orchestra’s musicians and Poway Unified students.

“There is an enormous range of possibilities,” he said.

The Poway Symphony Orchestra will close its 21st concert season with “Timeless Treasures” at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 25 in the Poway Center for the Performing Arts, 15498 Espola Road.

The program will feature Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Bassoon Concert in B-flat Major, Robert Schumann’s “Symphony No. 1” and Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Egmont Overture, Op. 84.”

Tickets are $15 to $45. Buy at PowaySymphonyOrchestra.org.