Hiring Musicians Based on Ability

The notion that Frank Salazar (Ventura County Symphony conductor and music director) is to be faulted because he hires musicians on the basis of their abilities rather than their residence in Ventura County is absurdly provincial. We doubt that the New York Philharmonic or the Boston Symphony has any such guidelines. Amateurs who love to play can and still do so here in Ventura. The Civic / Youth Orchestra welcomes all who want to contribute to their efforts. And in a fashion typical of him, Frank Salazar devotes a large part of his “leisure” time to this community group. Rather than giving disgruntled employees a soapbox from which to air their self-serving grievances, your reporter should have informed herself more fully on the reputation that Frank Salazar has earned, as a man who works tirelessly to bring great music to the residents of Ventura County and to anyone else who wants to hear it.

CHARLES and SHIRLEY CLEMENT