Reaching Out

In response to “Philharmonic Faces Challenges” (by Diane Haithman, July 17), once again the No. 1 problem appears to be declining ticket sales. Well, some members of the Philharmonic are working hard to change things, not for themselves necessarily, but for those who will fill their seats in the 2030-31 season.

Last week three of them (Jerry Folsom, principal French horn; Mark Baranov, assistant concertmaster; and flutist Catherine Ransom) graciously came to the Santa Clarita Valley Youth Orchestra summer program and conducted master classes and chamber rehearsals with fantastic results.

What was happening here was not just kids improving their skills as musicians. The vast majority of young people in youth orchestras won’t play professionally or even for pleasure as adults. However, they are the future audience for the type of music that gave them so much pleasure as a youngster.

The last 25 years in the U.S., especially here in California, have seen a vast decline in musical education in the schools. The children educated during those years are just now entering the time when they would be buying those subscriptions, so of course there is a smaller demand for tickets. There appears to be a small renaissance in process, but unfortunately it’ll be another 30 or 40 years before those students will be mature adults filling the seats at Disney Hall.

SALLY ANGEL

President, Santa Clarita

Valley Youth Orchestra

Can someone explain why, if the Philharmonic’s ticket sales are dropping, the powers that be are building a new $200-million concert hall? Who is expected to fill it?

PATRICIA CORDON

Los Angeles