Pasadena : Bleak Future for Orchestra

The board of directors of the Pasadena Chamber Orchestra has been unsuccessful in its efforts to raise enough funds for a 1987-88 season, said Raymond Stults, who had been hired as a full-time consultant to help the ensemble get back on its fiscal feet. There now appears to be little chance that the orchestra will be revived in the immediate future.

Last September the board abruptly cancelled the 1986-87 season after its founder and conductor, Robert Duerr, announced plans to step down as music director to pursue other interests.

Since Duerr had been credited with almost single-handedly raising the funds to keep the group going, many board members were opposed to any effort to continue the orchestra without him.

However, half of the 28-member board wanted to try to revive the acclaimed orchestra with a season that would feature guest conductors. Board members were able to raise enough money to pay off all debts but decided last week not to stage a concert season.