In Sunday’s (4/15) News-Leader (Staunton, Virginia), Dave Ress writes, “The volunteers who have brought big city symphonies to the Valley for the past 17 years are disbanding—but are hoping others will step up to take on the task. A tough economy that’s still challenging fundraising, cutbacks in state funding for the arts and difficulties recruiting new people to take on the multitude of chores that go into staging symphony performances led Valley Symphonic Concerts’ board to conclude it could not continue. It’s a sad decision, board chairman Ken McCollum said, after a Friday night performance by the Richmond Symphony that included a stunning performance by Virginia violin prodigy Brendon Elliott of Camille Saint-Saën’s Concerto No. 3. But he said there’s an active effort under way to find people who can keep the concert series going. … McCollum said he especially regrets what ending the Valley Symphonic Concerts’ tradition might mean for school groups and senior citizens, who have particularly enjoyed the performances over the years.”
Posted April 16, 2012
