I think that the Board gets as much credit as the ED for the survival and creative direction of the Orchestra. While the ED has played a role, she works under the guidance, leadership and oversite of the governance structure.
I have become involved with the QUEENS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA for almost 15 years, as not merely a Board Member but an administrator at a major University, St. John's, where we have held annual Summer Concerts and other events upon occasion. The QSO and all the performers are of the highest quality, and they are led by a Maestro Constantine Kitsopoulos, who is quite remarkable at his creative ability and tenacity to have each and every performance be a masterpiece.
The staff at QSO, while limited only by funding, are also at the highest level of dedication and delivery of related services, such as scheduling, public relations, grant writing and timeliness, etc.
The only and missing ingredient is the matter of funding. We desperately require and need funding from state, city and private sources. to that end, I encourage all to give freely to the ongoing talents of the Queens Symphony Orchestra. The Borough of Queens and the City of New York all benefit from its talents.
During the short time working as a volunteer with QSO the Summer of 2010 a concert at St. Johns University. I handed out programs, I also notice that the large audience that participate were of all ages. This music was catering to the cultured and refine Senior, Renga for Middle Age and the rhythm for Young Adults. Not for getting generation 2000's baby boomers here we come acquiring a surround sound for music. Its a thrill to be part of this organization. They help the communities come together, so please help to make it even better.
During the four years or so that I have been involved with QSO as a volunteer, I have watched the organization evolve dramatically. The "new" conductor has introduced innovative, recently created, and lesser-known pieces to our Queens community of music lovers. Maestro Constantine Kitsopoulos has identified selections to showcase different parts of the orchestra, thus allowing for more economical performances while, at the same time, raising the consciousness of guests to the beauty of those instruments.
The presentations for school children are packaged with lesson plans so that teachers may preview the selections for the children and also follow up after the performances. In this way, the class trip becomes not just an outing but a complete educational experience.
The competition for Young Soloists presents a venue for these talented youngsters to showcase their abilities, thus adding to their resumes and also to their self-confidence.
Under the direction of Linda Herndon, the ever-diminishing budget has been stretched so that free performances during the summer months can continue. I look forward each year to listening to the superb musicians plan under the summer sky.