Oregon Symphony moves into New Year on an uptempo - plus a bambino for the maestro

From the orchestra's press release:

January 2, 2015

OREGON SYMPHONY’S 2014 CRESCENDOS TO A BIG NOTE

When hundreds of balloons dropped from the ceiling of the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall at the New Year’s Eve “Ode to Joy” celebration, the uproarious applause sounded a rousing conclusion to a spectacular calendar year.

“The Oregon Symphony has grown, in both its artistic quality and its community impact,” said President Scott Showalter. “Still, we are in a crescendo mode. And our growth will continue as the second half of the 2014/15 season unfolds.”

Highlights of 2014 include:

• Scott Showalter hired as the Company’s new President

• Fifth consecutive fiscal year with a budget surplus

• Record ticket sales and record number of new contributors

• Record number of new ticket buyers in the first four months of the 2014/15 season, contributing to several sold-out concerts

• Record attendance at the Waterfront Concert, the biggest free community concert in Oregon

• 13 new members added to the Board of Directors

Growth of education and community programs—including Alban Gerhardt’s third year as Artist in Residence; an intensive new program in the David Douglas School District; and performances around the region, from the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility and various churches, to St. Mary’s Home for Boys and the Hillsboro Hops

The whole year was capped off by one, important last-minute addition: the birth of a son to Music Director Carlos Kalmar and his wife Raffaela. Luca Pedro was born at 7:05 am on December 31, which explains why Carlos’ performance that same night conducting Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony appeared especially joyous. Mother and son are thriving.