Letter by BCS
President Robert Peterson
in April 2005
Dear Friends of the Beach Cities Symphony,
Thank you for your support of the Beach Cities Symphony Association. As we plan for our 56th season this fall, we have appreciated your presence at our concerts and your financial contributions that allow us to serve the community by presenting four free concerts to the South Bay each season.
Under the direction of our outstanding conductor Barry Brisk, our orchestra performs an expanding repertoire of inspiring classical works as well as contemporary composers. We have enjoyed sparkling soloists and exceptionally talented young players. We have reached out to schools and music teachers to include highly-skilled young musicians in the orchestra.
As we go into our 56th season, we remain true to our mission to present fine classical music to the community at no charge. But while the concerts are free to the audience, they are not free to present. Our concerts cost more than $10,000 each. There are costs associated with the use and staff of Marsee Auditorium, as well as musicians, printing, mailing and publicity. While we operate thriftily with an all-volunteer Board, the reality is that costs seem to rise every year.
We exist through the great generosity of our Association members, corporations, advertisers and other supporters who recognize the value and pleasure that we bring to our audiences, our musicians and our community. This year we are modestly increasing the Contributor membership level to $35; we also are introducing the Virtuoso level of $750. Your membership, at any level, is valuable in helping us to present our inspiring and entertaining concert season. An envelope listing the membership levels is enclosed for your convenience.
Also, gifts made “In memory of” or “In honor of” are recognized in special listings in our program books. Gifts in these categories are added to our endowment, to help sustain the long-term viability of the Beach Cities Symphony. Memorial and honor gifts are a wonderful way to recognize somebody important to you, while supporting the Association into the future.
Thank you for supporting the Association in the past. We value your ongoing commitment to the orchestra and to our community. We hope you will join us in generously supporting the Beach Cities Symphony in its 56th season, and perhaps moving up to a new category.
Enjoy the concerts!
Robert L. Peterson, President
Letter by BCS President Robert Peterson
in November 2001
The beginning of our 52nd season brings fond memories of the founding of our orchestra. I remember the beginnings of seasons in times of short funding and small attendance at rehearsals. Some of us might remember less than 25 instrumentalists at a season’s first rehearsal. This year there were nearly 60 in attendance! I personally remember having seasons beginning with less than $1,000 in the bank and starting the year primarily on the hope and faith that we would make it through. This orchestra has always had supporters like you who helped make it a success.
Early in the 1950s we performed at Redondo High School’s old auditorium and then, after Mira Costa High School was built, we moved to their new auditorium. In 1968, when the Marsee Auditorium was opened at El Camino Community College, our symphony became the first symphony orchestra to present a concert on this stage. We were very privileged and later, when the Los Angeles Philharmonic came to perform here, I talked to musicians who commented on how much they liked the beautiful hall. Other world famous orchestras have performed on this stage, a wonderful addition to the community.
When the Beach Cities Symphony performed a concert in the 1960s at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion under the baton of then Music Director and Conductor, Louis J. Palange, we noticed the most wonderful feeling of ensemble due to the acoustics of the stage, and we felt the aura of performing where the L.A. Philharmonic does. We think highly of our venue here and love it dearly, but it was a thrill for us to be at the Chandler.
In all the years of different conductors, each gave the orchestra a personal sound and quality. Conductor Barry Brisk does this with verve, talent and diplomacy, and we are grateful for his years of leadership. You, the supporting audiences, have made the Beach Cities Symphony a success. Our goal is to continue presenting free concerts for the community’s enjoyment and appreciation. For me, personally, it is a great opportunity to perform beautiful music with excellent artist friends who share the same love of music and bring you tonight’s concert. I thank the Beach Cities Symphony for all the beauty it has brought into my life.