Pasadena Symphony Pulls out of Pasadena Civic, Heads to Ambassador
In a startling announcement before a crowd at a special subscriber party and press conference at the plaza of the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, officials of the Pasadena Symphony Association
Rachael Worby says her goal is to perform inside the Rose Bowl eventually.
said the Pasadena Symphony will leave its home since the early 1920’s to perform exclusively at the Ambassador Auditorium when it opens its 2010-2011 season on October 23.
More changes, previously announced by the Pasadena Symphony Association include the change of the Pasadena Pops from its longtime home in La Cañada Flintridge, at Descanso Gardens, to a lawn area adjacent to the Rose Bowl for its summer concert season which will begin June 19.
Subscribers line up to enter party held in their behalf Friday, March 19
The late afternoon Friday affair followed ritual to a T as Paul Jan Zdunek, CEO of the Pasadena Symphony Association led off with remarks and introduced Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard who turned the microphone to Pops conductor Rachael Worby who then introduced Symphony conductor Jorge Mester. Although ostensibly about the upcoming music seasons for the sister orchestras, only a youth jazz band and two member-musicians of the Symphony, violinist Julie
Julie Rogers, Andrew Picken from Pasadena Symphony entertain at subscriber party
Rogers and violist Andrew Picken, were on hand to make music. No mention of either orchestra’s season program was mentioned from the podium except the announcement of the change of venue to the two orchestras and a pitch from Worby about the Pops traditional free City Hall plaza concert which she said would be held May 22.
Among other issues which were passed over was an announcement of guest conductors for each of the orchestras. The Symphony will apparently retain its two main conductors, Jorge Mester for the Pasadena Symphony Classic Series, and Rachael Worby for the 2010 Summer Series. But, conducting chores will be handled by out-of-town conductors for the final concert in each of the series. Spanish conductor Maximiano Valdés will guest conduct the final concert for the Pasadena Symphony season and New Zealander Grant Cooper will conduct a special holiday Pops concert, the final concert of the Pops orchestra season. The move to hire outside conductors certainly should raises eyebrows as to Worby and Mester’s longevity here. In 2006, then Executive Director, Tom O’Connor, said that Maestro Mester had signed a contract extending to 2012 with another extension to be renewed in three years, or in 2009. It is unknown if such an extension was taken up by the 75 year-old musician. In the 2005-2006 season Mester earned $218,000 for his services, although when the orchestra ran into financial difficulty in 2008, he voluntarily took a 10% reduction in fees. Ms. Worby’s fees were said to have been $120,000 for the 2005-2006 season, although she also accepted reduced fees in 2008.
A quick review of both season’s music would seem to indicate a rehash of programs recently presented. For the Pops summer program Lisa Vroman, Don Brinegar Singers, Valerie Pettiford, and Doug Masek are among returning guest artists. The musical program will repeat Broadway, film numbers heard over past seasons. Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” with Cuban pianist Alfredo Rodriguez will be as deep a foray in the classical as the Pops will go. For the Symphony, a quick review indicates only pianist Robert Thies as a returnee, but the music to be performed is really same-old same-old. The five-concert series breaks no new ground but the acoustically bright Ambassador Auditorium will make things fresh as will the youthful bent of the invited guest artists.
In addition to the change to the Rose Bowl lawn for the Pasadena Pops and to the Ambassador Auditorium for Pasadena Symphony, the Symphony will offer its music in two Saturday performances, a 2:00 p.m. afternoon concert, and an 8:00 p.m. evening concert. The Pops retains its format of gates opening at 5:30 p.m. for picnicking and 7:30 p.m. concert time.
Pops Summer Series tables of 10 and 6 subscriber tickets are currently available. Single concert ticket prices will range from $56 to $90 for a table seat and lawn seating will be $25 for adults and $10 for children. Other specials are available for families and students.
Pasadena Symphony Classic Series subscriber tickets are also currently available. Single concert ticket prices will range from $30 to $80. For ticket or program information, please call (626) 793-7172 or visit www.pasadenasymphony-pops.org.
By Bill Peters
