California Philharmonic Orchestra officials held a press conference and said they do not know why the county decided to end a 15-year run of concerts at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden with them. The press conference was held at Cal Phil's new office in Arcadia. In attendance were Cal Phil founder and Music Director Victor Vener, his son Andre Vener (the orchestra's CEO), Robert W. Miller (member of the Cal Phil board), Michael Arnold (principal clarinetist), Barbara Hicks (volunteer) and 20 protesters who had picketed at the Arboretum, in reaction to the ouster of the orchestra.
California Philharmonic (Cal Phil) has announced its 2012 summer concert season is moving to Santa Anita Park. Cal Phil Music Director Victor Vener said a multi-year contract would be signed with the track, making the deal a partnership. CalPhil had been considered a Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden tenant for the past 15 years. The 2012 season will open June 30.
California Philharmonic persists despite financial straits. It owes "quite a bit of money to quite a lot of people," including about $2,000 apiece to 60 musicians, but the orchestra has no plans to go out of business, said Music Director Victor Vener. See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 1 and 6, November 1, 2012.
Pasadena Pops Orchestra debuts its first summer season at the Los Angeles County Arboretum today with Marvin Hamlisch, composer and conductor. The CalPhil lost out to the Pasadena Pops in a bid to stay at the Arboretum and CalPhil signed up with neighboring Santa Anita Park instead.
Battle of the Bands. Two major orchestras change venues for summer programs. CalPhil will be performing at Santa Anita Park's infield, while Pasadena Pops Orchestra will be performing at the Los Angeles County Arboretum.
Cal Phil's 20 years of outdoor concerts ends. The familiar giant concert dome of the California Philharmonic (CalPhil) will not adorn the infield at Santa Anita Park this summer. The concert series has been canceled by its board of directors to concentrate on the remaining scheduled concerts at Walt Disney Concert Hall this summer. The series started at Los Angeles County Arboretum in 1996 when CalPhil maestro Victor Vener started a Hollywood Bowl-type experience for Arcadia.
Michael Feinstein was appointed principal conductor of Pasadena Pops Orchestra, following the sudden death of conductor Marvin Hamlisch. The summer concert series continues at Los Angeles County Arboretum.
Songwriter and composer Marvin Hamlisch dies at age 68. He had been the Principal conductor of Pasadena Pops Orchestra. His last concert was July 21 at the Los Angeles County Arboretum.
The Los Angeles County Arboretum, which had its name changed to Los Angeles County Botanic Gardens, is now going back to the name Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Gardens.
Summer temperatures in Southern California have been lower than usual. The average temperature in July was 79 degrees, which was 5 degrees below normal. Jill Morganelli, horticulture curator at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden says she is enjoying the lower than normal temperatures and is more productive because of them. She discusses how colder night temperatures have affected plants.
California Philharmonic's debut at Santa Anita Park Race Track drew approximately 7000 guests. Featured music by Vanessa Carlton and conducted by Victor Vener.
An audit of the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanical Gardens shows that the facility exceeded its operating budget by nearly $1.5 million over the past three years. The Arboretum will be tightening its belt on spending.
Richard Schulhof is the top candidate in the search for executive director of the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden. His salary will be $117,000, plus an annual supplement of $52, 935, plus an annual performance bonus of up to $10,000. The supplement and bonus will be paid by the nonprofit Los Angeles Arboretum Foundation. He is the former executive director of Descanso Gardens. He replaces Mark Wuorms.
A pilot program called "Arboretum Explorers" teaches children about nature. It is a 5-day summer camp. Natalia Chang, 8, of Arcadia is shown in a photograph.
A recent audit found that the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Gardens exceeded its operating budget by almost $1.5 million over the past three years, and uncovered payroll discrepancies and unapproved rental fee waivers.
California Philharmonic played its last concert at the Los Angeles County Arboretum, after 15 years of playing summer concerts there. Next year, the California Philharmonic will be playing at Santa Anita Park, where the amenities include indoor plumbing, a full liquor license and improved parking.
Community meetings will be held to determine public preference on the name for the Arboretum. The County prefers that the facility be called Botanic Garden.