“For the 85 years of its existence, the last 28 years under the leadership of Michael Morgan, the Oakland Symphony has served the community in many ways beyond playing concerts,” writes Janos Gereben in Monday’s (12/17) San Francisco Classical Voice. “In the same vein, the organization has now launched a new program, ‘Hall Pass,’ to provide free concert tickets and ‘increased access to the organization’s concerts to non-traditional audiences and members of the community.’ Hall Pass is made possible by the Wallace Foundation.… Besides doing good, the orchestra should also do well in growing future audiences. Hall Pass eligibility is determined by Alameda County Social Services, together with Alameda County organizations, providing no-cost or low-cost services to individuals and families receiving state assistance. Anyone receiving financial assistance from the State of California as well as active, guard, and reserve military households are also eligible.… The model for Hall Pass is the ‘Symphony Scorecard’ program at Michigan’s Grand Rapids Symphony [for] low-income and military households…. Alameda County Social Services Agency Director of Public Affairs Sylvia Soublet said, ‘Providing more access to music and the arts helps to enrich the lives of those we serve in ways that we simply cannot.’ ”
Posted December 21, 2018
In photo: The Oakland Symphony and Music Director Michael Morgan. Photo courtesy of Oakland Symphony.
