In last Thursday’s (5/19) ON Magazine (Yakima, Washington), Patrick D. Muir writes, “Before taking the Yakima Symphony Orchestra baton last September, Lawrence Golan conceded that the program he’d put together for his inaugural season was ambitious, especially at a time when orchestras nationwide were cutting back. The idea was to try a few new things—an expanded classical concert series, the addition of pops concerts, collaborations with other local arts organizations—and see what kind of response they got. It would be up to Yakima to decide whether to support that ambition, Golan said at the time. ‘It has been supported by the community,’ Golan said earlier this week. … Indeed, the 2010-2011 season, which culminates in a Saturday performance of Verdi’s Requiem, has by all measurable criteria been a success. Donations are up, single ticket sales have more than doubled, the YSO organization increased its annual budget by $140,000 to just over $500,000, and total ticket revenue shot up 39 percent. … Next year’s schedule is another leap forward, featuring five classical performances, three chamber concerts and three pops concerts. That’s two more shows than this year, which featured two more than last year.”
Posted May 25, 2011
