PACIFIC SYMPHONY GETS PRODUCTION EXECUTIVE

Lawrence T. Duckles, formerly associated with the Oakland Symphony and the Arizona Opera Company in Tucson, has been named artistic administrator for the Pacific Symphony.

Duckles’ duties involve overseeing all production aspects of the orchestra which begins its season Oct. 2 at the Orange County Performing Arts Center.

“My responsibilities include arranging details for concerts, giving the stage plans and working them out wherever we perform, overseeing the musical library and just anything that has to do with production,” the 44-year-old administrator said.

Other duties are arranging travel and accommodations for soloists appearing with the orchestra and editing a quarterly arts magazine.

Duckles was raised in the San Francisco area and joined the Oakland Symphony as a flute player in 1960 when he was 18. Two years later, he became that organization’s stage manager and technical director and held those positions for 12 years while continuing to perform. During his last two years with the organization, he also served as the orchestra’s music librarian.

He joined the San Francisco Ballet from 1974-79, first as its piccolo player and later as principal flutist. He also worked with the Arizona Opera Company in Tucson and the Phoenix Symphony from 1979-85. Most recently, he served as production coordinator of the Riverside Opera Company for a year before moving to the Pacific Symphony.

Since 1965, Duckles has been a member of the annual summer Cabrillo Music Festival Orchestra, where he produced and staged the American premiere of “Pollicino,” Hans Werner Henze’s opera for children, in 1983. He plans to continue his work with the Cabrillo Music Festival as principal flutist, music librarian and program annotator.