Artistic, Financial Momentum Continue

Dear Friends,

We learned last month that Oregon Symphony President Bill Ryberg will leave us on June 30 to become the General Director of the Palm Beach Opera. While we certainly regret losing Bill, running an opera company has long been his professional dream and we wish him and his wife Evelyn happiness in their new endeavor.

The artistic and financial momentum of the Oregon Symphony will continue uninterrupted during this leadership transition. Our roadmap for growth is firmly in place: the orchestra has never sounded better under Music Director Carlos Kalmar's leadership; the number of donors is increasing due to the Miller Match campaign; ticket sales for this season will finish ahead of last year; and the 06-07 subscription campaign is off to a great start, reflecting, in part, next season's great programs..

Foundation Board Member Jack Wilborn and Association Board Secretary Jim Dulcich are leading the search for Bill's successor and hope to have a new president in place by early fall. I am pleased that, in addition to board, orchestra and staff members, longtime Symphony supporters Ned Hayes, Renee Holzman and Lynn Loacker agreed to serve on the search committee.

Bill will remain at the helm of the Symphony through June and Foundation Board member Jerry Hulsman has agreed to serve as interim president from July 1 until a new president in place. Supporting them is a dedicated Board of Directors and a deeply experienced professional staff.

We have had many great leaders during the 110-year history of the Oregon Symphony, and we are grateful to them all. But the heart and soul of our enterprise has always been the orchestra and its musical service to our community. Now, as ever, it is critical that we have your support. If you have not yet participated in the Miller Match, which matches dollar-for-dollar every new or increased gift to the Oregon Symphony, I urge you to do so today. That gift will help ensure we are here for another 110 years of musical service.

Sincerely,

Maria M. Pope
Chair, Board of Directors