calder re-ups for four more years

Good news for all of us at the Oregon Symphony: Elaine Calder has negotiated a four-year contract extension as president of the Oregon Symphony Association.  We were sent an email from OSA board president Walt Weyler this morning:

Fellow board members and Orchestra Musicians,

Last week Elaine Calder signed a 4-year extension to her contract with the Oregon Symphony Association …

We are all proud of Elaine’s many accomplishments, including:

1) developing important, positive relations with the Symphony’s most important patrons and the community’s most important    thought leaders;

2) developing relationships of respect and trust with Carlos, the musicians, staff and board members;

3) increasing ticket sales and concert net profit through programming and guest artists, and making changes in performance schedules;

4) negotiating significant reductions in expenses, especially for the 09/10 & 10/11 seasons;

5) overseeing the retirement of the $7 million debt and moving the endowment to OCF;

6) reducing operating losses each season of her stewardship, this season to break-even; and

7) maintaining important, helpful relationships in the national arts community.

Recently, a staff member characterized Elaine as the best president that OSA has ever had — she lives the job. We all benefit from Elaine’s presence in and commitment to OSA and our community. …

Regards,

Walter Weyler