ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, March 12, 1996 TAG: 9603120103
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MATT CHITTUM STAFF WRITER
Fourteen members of the Brno Chamber Orchestra played at the Roanoke Valley Chamber Music Society-sponsored concert last week, but no fat lady sang.
In other words, it ain't over yet for the Roanoke Valley Chamber Music Society.
Prior to the concert, Ann-Marie Horner, executive director and lone remaining board member, anounced that a questionnaire would be included in the programs seeking financial support for the 15-year-old society and volunteers to serve on the board. She said she was sick of running the entire operation herself, and if at least 10 potential board members didn't come forward, this would be the society's last season.
Horner was elated with the response.
``I guess the bottom line is, I'm in the planning process for next season,'' she said.
Seven people who attended the concert said they would be willing to serve on the board, which requires buying a season ticket, making a donation to the society and participating in fund-raising and planning. Counting those seven, three people who contacted Horner before the concert and three who have come forward since, there are 13 potential board members.
Horner has sent out letters of confirmation. She was awaiting replies at last report, but said she was ``very happy with at least five of them'' based on conversations with the prospective board members.
``I want a board that's not only workable but active,'' she said.
She also warns that, while she's booking acts for next season, the apparent salvation of the board is not necessarily the society's ``absolute saving grace.''
Ticket sales need to be higher, and more donations wouldn't hurt either. But Horner got some hopeful signs at the Feb. 29 concert.
About 160 people attended the performance by the Brno Chamber Orchestra - up from the 98 who attended the society's preceding concert. More than 100 people have said they would buy season tickets for next year, and 24 of those people have never bought them before, Horner said.
Horner said she also received about $4,000 in donation pledges, about $1,000 of it from new donors.
``Two people gave me checks in the lobby,'' she said.
In addition, Horner is shortening the next season from five concerts to four and reducing the season ticket price to $40.
Before the concert, she confessed she was torn between wanting the society to continue and wanting to be done with all the work. She's still a little ambivalent.
``At first I thought I'd gone from the frying pan into the fire,'' she said. ``But I am totally personally committed to this.''
LENGTH: Medium: 54 linesby CNB