Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, September 9, 1993 TAG: 9309090234
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ALMENA HUGHES STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The symphony, represented by its music director and conductor, Victoria Bond, was given in merger by its president, Heidi Krisch. The choral society was represented by its artistic director, Jeffrey Sandborg, and given in merger by its president, Mary Lou Hiatt.
Bond wore a pale peach pantsuit. Sandborg's suit was of dark pinstripes.
Before a crowd of approximately 70 well-wishers, Fitzpatrick said the gathering at the historic site celebrated a union of spirit, talent, energy, dedication and vision.
"What great talent has brought together, let no man put asunder," he said.
Lori Gubala, the symphony's director of development and public relations, said the two organizations have been courting since 1986, the year both Bond and Sandborg came on board. Though operating independently, the symphony and choral society together have presented productions of Handel's "Messiah," Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, Verdi's and Mozart's Requiems and concert versions of Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess" and Verdi's "Aida."
Under their joint operating agreement, the symphony and choral society will plan their artistic and educational programs in tandem, each offering a full season of concert productions. The merger will enable the 120-member choral society to present its first season ticket offering with the 1993-94 concert season. The two groups will close that season, which begins in November, with a joint production in April of Mahler's Symphony No. 2.
There was a prenuptial agreement of sorts between the boards of directors, Krisch said. Under it, the choral society president will become a fully participating member of the symphony's board of directors, which will serve as the primary governing and policy-making body.
The programs of the symphony and choral society will be administered by the symphony's professional staff and carried out by the volunteer groups that support each organization. The symphony and choral society will share administrative resources for concert production, box office, marketing, fund raising, publicity, financial management and long-range planning.
This union of the region's premier civic choral organization and the only entirely professional orchestra in Western Virginia is the first merger of two major professional arts organizations in the region. Bond said she felt certain all involved would benefit and she hoped that other organizations would follow the lead.
Sandborg said he anticipates a long honeymoon while the organizations get to know each other better. They plan to reside in the Jefferson Center beginning in October.
by CNB