PEORIA -- Here’s an ad that is running today (3/26/09) in the Peoria Journal Star. And here is what it doesn’t dare say to certain members of the symphony board: resign now before the Peoria Symphony Orchestra is ruined.
The Board of Directors has abandoned its own bylaws, ignored transparency and usurped powers it did not have by seizing control of the orchestra programming from its conductor/music director David Commanday.
1. It fired Commanday by not renewing his contract without allowing him to speak to the board in his own defense. That’s in spite of the board’s bylaws that require his attendance at every meeting. Instead he was told not to attend and not to speak to board members or the public.
2. Its treatment of Commanday and personnel manager S. Blake Duncan has undermined trust in the institution from the musicians, the subscribers and the major donors.
3. It sold season tickets for the March 28, 2009 program then substantially changed the program later, and it misled the public about what happened.
4. It has ignored the petitions signed by over 900 subscribers and supporters calling for Commanday’s reinstatement.
New leadership and better governance is needed now.
Here is factual information compiled by people concerned about the future of the symphony:
Recently the Board leadership sent a letter to subscribers on behalf of the full Board, in which they ask for subscribers to trust them as the sole source of truth about matters concerning the PSO. Let’s examine their record of “forthright statements” to the Board, players, and public.
Claim No. 1: Music Director David Commanday is responsible for the cancellation of Blake Duncan and March 28 program changes.
Fact: All changes to the March 28 program, including the cancellation of the concerto solo performance by Blake Duncan, were made without David Commanday’s knowledge. His subsequent caution to the Board leadership against such changes was ignored.
Claim No. 2: Program Changes to March 28 were at the guest conductor’s request.
Fact: According to guest conductor Ponti, he never requested a change of program, but was informed the changes were requested by the PSO. (Peoria Journal Star February 25, 2009).
Claim No. 3: the Board commented that the Music Director was responsible for the ‘downturn’ in subscription and single-ticket sales.
Fact: The PSO sent out a letter dated February 28, 2009 stating ticket sales and funding were OK this year and acknowledging subscription sales were down across the industry.
Claim No. 4: David Commanday has not been sufficiently engaged with the community.
Fact: Commanday has been continually engaged with the community. (He has appeared in) over 25 major community events that he participates in each year, and he appears regularly on WCBU, WTVP, WEEK, and WOAM-WMBD in interviews promoting the PSO.
Claim No. 5: Programming needs to be more innovative, appealing to a younger audience.
Fact: PSO programming under David Commanday has been and remains innovative and appealing. In its January 16, 2009 press release, the PSO Board President is quoted as saying “Under his direction, the orchestra has enjoyed ten years of excellent concerts and innovative programming”.
Claim No. 6: The Music Director has been insubordinate and unprofessional.
Fact: A careful review of the letter sent confidentially by David Commanday to the Board in November clearly shows that he did not issue an ultimatum demanding resignations. Rather he asserted that the Board leadership who sought to take over his Music Director responsibilities should take responsibility for their actions and errors and act to correct them, or step down from their positions of leadership on the Board. He had contractual and ethical responsibilities as Music Director to uphold and foster the artistic health and integrity of the PSO.
Claim No. 7: The PSO Board leaders have implied they have the PSO’s future well in hand and are competent to shepherd the organization through this difficult economy.
Fact: In actions, publications and statements, it seems this leadership has revealed that they are confused, disoriented and careening from one plan to another, publishing self-contradictory statements on the future of the PSO. They have done so while marginalizing dissent within the Board, and without allowing a fully informed Board to agree on a unified, considered and successful plan and course of action.
Conclusion: The PSO Board Leadership seriously departed from the proper and customary rules and guidelines of the PSO. They should resign, as should those who went along with them. This Board has put in jeopardy this century-old PSO institution. New leadership is required by other board members who will return transparency and sound governance, taking seriously their responsibilities as fiduciaries to our community and the PSO they serve.
If you want to see more documents and stories on the Peoria symphony, click on ‘Peoria Symphony’ in the list on the right hand column.
You also can write to the Save our Symphony Committee (include your name and address):
Save Our Symphony Committee, P. O. Box 3152, Peoria, IL 61612-3152 or email at sos.committee@yahoo.com.
-- Elaine Hopkins
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