From individual sources and The Tribune, it appears that problems run deep at the San Luis Obispo Symphony: After the firing in May of Music Director Michael Nowak without explanation, the orchestra's board ousted Executive Director Edmund Feingold last week, effective immediately, again without explanation.
Nowak led the SLO Symphony for 31 years, and was said by The Tribune to be considered "the public face of the symphony." And yet, when his contract was terminated by the board in a supposedly unanimous vote, no official reason was announced for the action, which apparently created surprise and upset among musicians and the community.
Four of the musicians have published a statement:
"Michael Nowak was at the heart of [our] family... We are deeply saddened that he will no longer be with us in the SLO Symphony. For many musicians, these months have been especially hard because Mike is a friend as well as conductor. We love playing for him. He is musically gifted, his wit is unmatchable and his vision is remarkable...
Everyone was shocked by the suddenness of his dismissal from the SLO Symphony, which appeared insulting to a 31-year legacy as music director. The orchestra — surprised, suspicious, hurt and angry — was moved to offer a statement of “no confidence” in the board.
The orchestra website is silent on these developments, but Nowak's work is acknowledged in the organization's history.
Feingold, who served in the top administration position for a year, is likely to have been among those behind Nowak's firing, and yet Lisa Nauful, assistant executive director and communications director, said "Ed Feingold's departure was not related to the termination of Michael Nowak's contract. Nowak will not return to the orchestra as a result of Ed Feingold's leaving."
The nonprofit orchestra's finances are in poor shape. The Tribune reported a net income of $44,982 for fiscal year 2012, which dropped to $9,055 in fiscal 2013, followed by a $13,400 loss in fiscal 2014.
Board President Liz Summer has said the orchestra "has been dealing with a decline in annual subscriptions, which affects the bottom line” -- further aggravated by about a third of the people who had signed up for 2015-16 concert tickets or season subscriptions this spring asking for refunds after Nowak's firing.
And yet, apparently the organization has no plans to terminate or suspend most operations, although the Pops by the Sea concert, traditionally held Labor Day weekend in Avila Beach, has been canceled.
Nauful said she and the symphony staff, "aided by several local professionals," will be in charge, and are planning to hire a local consultant to help in restructuring the organization. No date has been set for replacing the executive or music director.
The season-closing concert was directed by Thomas Davies, Cal Poly’s director of choral activities and vocal studies. He and five guest conductors have been named for the 2015-2016 season, which opens on Oct. 3. They are Nir Kabaretti, James Sedares, Lawrence Loh, Laura Jackson and Bruce Anthony Kiesling. Programs for the five Classics Concerts have been announced.