It Was a Very Good Year

Dear Friends,

This is my last journal entry for the 2007/08 season. Whew! It has been a remarkable season indeed. I think we all will remember several musical performances by the Oregon Symphony in which the sharing of emotional music, the vibrant energy in the house and the concentration of all of you made the experience of attending a symphony concert truly memorable.

I could start by reminding all of us (including myself) of the highlights, beginning with the great Van Cliburn concert that launched our season last September. But I believe there is too much to be remembered, and an entire season is a great compilation of very different ideas: sad, funny, smart, witty, touching. I don’t want to deconstruct that entire idea just to remember a few singular events.

This season has also been marked by the joint decision of the Oregon Symphony and me to continue our artistic journey together. I think you all know how much I like being here. This is my American home town. The fact that another season is now coming to an end – my fifth – is quite unbelievable for me: We’ve only just begun, and the excitement of so many new experiences in classical music is fresh in our hearts and souls!

One more very important change for our organization also took place this season: In our new President, Elaine Calder, we now have a savvy leader who, in constant contact with all of us, is creating a healthier organization and a financially sustainable orchestra. In particular, I’m impressed with her way of reaching out to me – the feeling is mutual, of course – and this new attitude is something that will have a more and more positive effect on our city. Thanks to this team-oriented approach we’ve been able to sell more tickets than we have in many years, and together we are making a valuable investment in our cultural future.

I wish you all a peaceful summer. I can't wait to get together with you again, starting with our annual outdoor concert at the Tom McCall Waterfront Park in August.

Sincerely,

Carlos