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I played in the Green Bay Symphony from 78-83 and we did some wonderful brass literature. I remember one concert playing- Wagner: "Prelude to Die Meistersinger" Honegger: "Pacific 231", Williams: "Star Wars Symphonic Suite" and Stravinsky: "The Firebird", something else that I can't remember. All with huge, huge tuba parts. That music director loved to feature the brass, the winds being the strength of the group.
In the 90's they tried to upgrade the group by re-auditioning everyone and bringing in semi pro players from as much as 100 miles away. That may be one factor that led to their undoing. This isn't an unfamiliar story these days, but each one's demise bring another bought of sadness to me.
FWIW, The tuba player, Paul Haugen passed away a year or two ago and last I knew Marty Erickson, who teaches just up the road was playing with them.
RIP, Green Bay Symphony
http://www.wbay.com/story/25414527/2014 ... nal-season" target="_blank

Tom Curry won that gig not long ago. Tom is a fantastic musician, a really great guy, and I believe a Green Bay native. Sad news for Green Bay indeed.

I believe they have contracts to honor with Midori, the Conductor, and others (possibly including sections leaders, some of whom come from as far away as Chicago), not to mention the season ticket buyers and donors they do have on board. Plus there is a strong sentiment to honor long time conductor Miroslav Pansky (whom I played under, nothing special, IMO, but he was there a long time and was viewed with some reverence among the faithful), a progam that was in the works for years, I have been told.
I understand the cynicism, and It could be in part an attempt to have someone step up and bail them out. I do know a Save the Symphony group has already formed, so stay tuned.

tuben wrote:Shame their management isn't stupid like the Colorado Symphony, only broke and desperate. Maybe stupid options could have helped keep the organization in operation.

Que sera.

I love my orchestra but the financial viability question keeps us on pins and needles. It makes for some interesting rehearsal announcements, like the time we heard our volunteer financial officer had failed to renew our 401c3 status. We are doing a wonderful Shakespeare themed concert Saturday night, Romeo and Juliet, Richard III, Othello and Henry V; at the Shakespeare Theater complete with actor interuptions. I wonder what the gate will be? It's really tough to fill a hall no matter what you play, how well you play or how well you advertise.