Pacific Symphony Board Adds New Members : 3 of 4 Departing Directors Backed Clark

Four members of the Pacific Symphony board of directors have resigned and seven new members have been added, orchestra officials reported Tuesday after the board’s regular monthly meeting.

At least three of the departing members are known to be strong supporters of Keith Clark, the founding music director of the orchestra who was fired in February. Little is known about the new members’ stands on the lingering controversy surrounding Clark’s removal and the orchestra’s future direction. One, Norman L. Lilley, refused comment when questioned Monday.

Also at Monday’s meeting, the board voted to offer Warsaw Philharmonic music director Kazimierz Kord the position of principal guest conductor and music adviser for the Pacific Symphony’s 1989-90 season. Clark’s contract expires in 1989 and officials have indicated that it will take at least another year to replace him.

Leaving the board are Den Hood and Victor Hausmaninger, both of whom are former chief financial officers, and Richard B. Larner and Carl Mayer. Hood had served on the board for three years, Hausmaninger for six, Larner since 1981. The length of Mayer’s service was not available.

All four resignations were voluntary, according to executive director Louis G. Spisto. “They did not elect to stay,” he said Tuesday.

“Both (Hood and Hausmaninger) have been trying to get off the board for years,” said continuing executive board member Preston Stedman.

“I am leaving due to conflicts I have for my time,” Hausmaninger said Tuesday, adding that he may still assist the board in a lesser capacity. Hood also confirmed that his resignation was voluntary, as did Larner, who said he “hasn’t been enthusiastic about the new direction of the orchestra, so I left. I don’t want to be a part of it.” Mayer’s term had expired, according to new board member Cornelia R. Mazer.

Though he remains on the board, H. Henry Hirsch has left the executive committee. Hirsch, a fervent supporter of Clark, said Thursday that he had received a phone call that day from board president John R. Evans asking if he “would mind” stepping down. Hirsch said Evans did not give a reason for the request. Evans could not be reached for comment.

“Getting asked to not be a part of something that has been so dear to you certainly hurts,” Hirsch said Thursday.

On Tuesday, however, Hirsch said his decision to step down “was voluntary,” and he declined further comment.

The new board members are:

--Lilley, who is vice president and manager of the financial management & trust services division of Security Pacific Bank.

--Mazer, who is managing partner, Market Performance Group, a marketing-consulting firm.

--William Bollard, partner in Chapman, Fuller & Bollard, a legal firm in Newport Beach.

--G. Randolph Johnson, president, Independence Mortgage Co.

--Thomas J., Kelley, partner, financial services division, Arthur Andersen & Co.

--Abdo H. Khoury, executive vice president, Awdeh & Co., a development firm based in Newport Beach.

--William E. Smith, president, Ryder International Freight and Customs Serices.

Three of the new members will join the executive board: Kelley as the new chief financial officer; Bollard as executive committee member at large, and Mazer as vice president of long range-planning, a new position.

According to Spisto, adding new members are part of an ongoing process.

“We haven’t completed the task of expanding the board,” he said. “The by-laws allow up to 60 members (the new members boost the current roster to 32), and as the organization grows, we will continue to add members to represent a wider cross section of the community and enable fund-raising efforts to grow.”

Spisto said that the board on Monday created a long-range planning committee, which will discuss, among other issues, whether the orchestra should remain a free-lance operation or become a full-time contract orchestra.”

Regarding Kord, Spisto said the orchestra has made an offer to the conductor “but he is leaving on a tour. It may take a few days to receive a response.” Such specifics of the offer as salary were not disclosed. If Kord accepts, he would conduct three pairs of concerts during the 1989-90 season and would advise on the selection of guest conductors.

“As far as we know, he is not a candidate for the music director position,” Spisto said. “No conductor will become a candidate until well after he or she has appeared with the orchestra.” Spisto confirmed that there are women among the 200 applications that the organization has received.