Keep Orchestra, Society Separate

Re “Pacific Symphony, Philharmonic Society Tuning Up for Merger” by Rick VanderKnyff (Sept. 27), a story on the subject of a proposed merger between the two leading musical organizations in the county, one (the Pacific) a powerful and successful foundation for its own highly professional symphony orchestra, the other (the Philharmonic Society) a presenter mostly of symphony orchestras such as the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony and the Cleveland Symphony:

The lever for the proposed merger seems to be that the Pacific Symphony, which has an accumulated operating deficit, would be strengthened over the long run by a merger that would gain from the elimination of certain duplicated operating costs.

On the other hand, the Orange County Philharmonic Society has a long record of operating surpluses. It does not have to support an orchestra: it is a presenter. Once in awhile a deficit occurs as a result of some misjudgment, but the Society has successfully eliminated such deficits in short order.

At issue, though, and this is the real challenge, is the effect of such a merger on the total musical output, in quality and diversity.

The Philharmonic Society continues to bring to its supporters and followers a stunning program of outstanding orchestras from the great cities of the East and from European countries. This surely will diminish after a merger. Concert-goers no longer will have a choice, as the programs will swing in the direction of the Pacific Symphony.

Not to be overlooked is the outstanding work of the Women’s Committees, a branch of the Philharmonic Society unheralded but powerful in its outreach to the schoolchildren of the county, 300,000 of whom are brought once a year to the Performing Arts Center by this women’s organization. (The committees’ work) has momentum, but it may stumble and falter because of new forces introduced by the proposed merger.

As a former president of the Philharmonic Society and chairman of its concert arrangements committee for years, I would not be misled by “bottom line” arguments. I would vote, as always, for quality. That means, simply, no merger. This is not meant to disparage the Pacific Symphony. It is an orchestra of high capability. I intend to say only that the Philharmonic Society does not need an orchestra. It should continue along the same path it has trod so successfully for 38 years.

I would hope that this letter would stimulate many responses from interested readers, regardless of their points of view. Let us have an enlightening debate!

LORNE HUYCKE

Laguna Beach

MORE LETTERS: F4